By Emily McLaughlin
TAMPA, Fla. –– Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the most crucial way technology is used today. AI promotes innovation, efficiency, and solutions to problems humans want to find answers for. However, behind all the optimism, the truth of the matter is that AI is causing more harm than good, and it will only get worse as future generations rely more heavily on it.
Recent data show that AI has really grown over the past years and is continuously growing. For example, the global AI market will soar from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, a 25-fold increase in just a decade, according to a UNCTAD report.
Sure, the benefits of AI are really nice. For students, it helps write papers, answer those annoying math problems, and generate ideas to lengthen papers. But, as students use AI in schools, there can be a high risk of dulling human creativity. Generative tools such as AI can churn out essays, music, and artwork just within seconds, which used to require imagination, skill, and effort.
According to a 2024 report from Harvard University, young people aged 14-22 mostly use AI for information (53%) and brainstorming (51%).
If the younger generation grows up relying on AI to create and complete their assignments for them, students’ spark and curiosity for learning will disintegrate. The best type of learning is through trial and error, working through the process of thinking through a problem. But replacing that with AI shortcuts causes a big risk for original thought as the rising generations become more prominent in today’s world.
Now, looking into the broader societal danger, AI is already distorting the public with misinformation. People are often asking themselves nowadays, “Is this video AI?” when watching videos on the internet. Deepfakes and automated propaganda often make it harder to tell facts from fiction.
This idea can relate to students because often they will just believe anything they see on the internet without question. A recent survey by Save My Exams was conducted relating to the question of whether students can spot AI-generated homework. A good 67% of students said the AI answer was written by a human, meaning that most could not identify that it was written by ChatGPT.
While mentioned previously that AI is a great tool to help students with their studies, it can also cause a lack of motivation for students long-term. As students continue to rely on AI, it could often lead to them not focusing on the truth of these machines and what they are capable of.
The answer is not to stop using AI altogether but rather to set boundaries. AI needs to be only a tool, not a replacement for learning. Ways to lessen the use of AI could be by completing the assignment first and then using AI to see if there is anything else to add to what has already been created. Another way is just using AI to help start assignments and then work from there as well.
AI’s rapid ascent brings a real threat to creativity, increased dependence on technology, and weakened learning foundations. AI may offer shortcuts for students, but there also needs to be understanding that shortcuts sometimes aren’t the best call to action.
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Photo courtesy of Lexi Smith.