By Hayden St. Mary
With technology continuing to develop, Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI, is becoming more frequently used and updated. AI consists of computers and programs that can replicate human thinking. It is used in thousands of ways ranging from generating art to driving cars. With how major AI is becoming, the question being asked is, “Is all this development actually beneficial?” AI can come in handy with different things like helping you summarize something, taking away more monotonous jobs for humans, and giving suggestions with writing. But AI is also taking away jobs, stealing the magic of art, and giving students outlets to use so that they have no need to use any creativity or thinking with any school work. AI becomes a big issue when there are no restrictions and when it’s not taught to be used properly. While AI may be a very beneficial tool for many reasons, there needs to be limitations that stop it from doing too much damage.
With so many forms of AI being readily available to school students, they are using it to cheat on assignments, undermining the whole learning process and integrity of academics. Artists, including myself, are frustrated with AI that can replicate their style or create new art, effectively stealing their art, as AI is taught using other artists’ works. It also completely devalues the creative process and all the hard work artists put in to get to their skill levels. As well as with physical artwork, it also takes the jobs of writing stories and creating music that will never be up to the standards of human creation. In my opinion, it would be preferable for AI to do laundry and dishes so I have time for art and writing, instead of the other way around.
Another big concern with AI is that machines are taking over the job force, boosting unemployment rates and potentially diminishing human interaction with computers replacing front desk services. People are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, which could lead to a potential loss of critical thinking skills, creativity, and human intuition. Another concerning issue with AI is people are forming emotional connections with AI, by using AI chats that can simulate a partner in a relationship. In upcoming years, robotic pets may also be available. The amount of animals in shelters continues to increase, and people choosing robotic animals over the real thing could greatly increase those numbers.
AI really can be a beneficial tool; there just needs to be certain restrictions placed to keep it from ruining society. Instead of students using AI to cheat, they can use it to help plan out study schedules, clarify certain concepts, and create study plans and practice sheets. If students are taught the proper and useful ways that AI can be used, it may stop them from using it in improper ways. It can be a really useful tool for providing feedback on pieces, giving inspiration, and sharing useful edits. Robots could only be used for certain dangerous or tedious jobs so that people still remain dominant in the workplace.
AI should be encouraged to be used as a tool that supports human thinking, rather than being used to replace it. Schools and workplaces should promote healthy use of such tools so it’s not used improperly. Robotic pets could be used solely with the elderly or disabled instead of in just anyone’s home. With AI animal companions, they could be programmed to help elderly or disabled patients with various tasks. The benefit of them being entirely robotic would assure owners that their pets will not bite or cause mischief. It would also cut down training time and costs as the robots would just have a ready-made program put into them.
In conclusion, while AI does present numerous benefits, its widespread use is bringing many issues that must be addressed to avoid any negative impacts on society. AI can be a valuable tool for giving suggestions, assisting with editing, counting, and more, but without proper regulation, risks taking the place of human skills and causing us to be completely reliant on technology. Limitations need to be set on how it’s used in school and work settings, and responsible use should be promoted. With AI’s popularity, we want to use its abilities while still preserving the qualities that make us uniquely human.
Hayden St. Mary is a Spring Grove High School student, one of 15 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 26th year.
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