The stigma surrounding AI causes its use to be highly discouraged. People recommend avoiding it entirely. This raises the question, is AI completely terrible, or does it have positive qualities?
Online, I constantly see AI platforms such as ChatGPT get bashed for its excessive water usage. AI is powered by high-energy data centers that require water to cool down its servers. According to Business Energy UK, ChatGPT alone uses approximately 39.16 million gallons of water daily. The earth’s water supply is rapidly depleting everyday, with the use of AI being a large contributor.
I have had teachers suggest to my classmates and me to utilize AI for studying. Wouldn’t this mean contributing to harming the environment? How could we use it if it has such detrimental repercussions?
Kathleen MacDonald High School (KMHS) science teacher Tiffany Cheng views AI as a tool for students, if used correctly.
“I think it’s useful in that students can learn how to ask questions right, especially higher order thinking ones.” Cheng said. Higher order thinking calls for analysis, evaluation, and creation. For students, AI can be used to learn, but shouldn’t replace their thinking.
AI is effective in producing practice tests, study guides, and summarizing content into important notes. It’s a great tool to guide students’ learning by providing extra help and clarification.
In contrast, AI can be used incorrectly by individuals. KMHS English teacher Arantxa Figueroa discourages the use of AI when it is generative rather than assistive. In other words, it can help students review topics and revise work, but shouldn’t produce the work from scratch, which is commonly seen in students. We think AI helps us because it knows the answer for everything, but the reality is, choosing to take the shortcut that does all of the labor sets you up for failure in the future.
“Ultimately, you are in charge of how it affects you. You take AI, abuse that, cheat on everything, yeah, that’ll hit you hard later.” Figueroa said.
Allowing AI to do all the work means you aren’t properly applying the skills you’ve learned throughout your life. These skills begin to decline, important skills that are necessary for jobs, college, and daily life in general.
For students, AI doesn’t have to be avoided entirely, but should be used wisely. It’s great to use as a tool to guide learning, but it’s terrible when used as a shortcut for assignments. Do your work yourself. If you’re considering using AI, use it to aid your learning, not to replace your thinking.
