Opinion: The Morality of AI in Education
The infamous Texas House Bill passed to ban the usage of phones in schools all across Texas has hit students especially hard this year and was met with much criticism. This law, in an attempt to correct academic dishonesty and distractions in classrooms, has only persuaded students to find sneakier ways to cheat. If you’ve found yourself resorting to using Artificial Intelligence in your everyday work, you might have to reassess your values before continuing. Many are beginning to argue that utilizing Artificial Intelligence within academic spaces is inherently immoral and ignorant.
With its instant responses and infinite knowledge, AI definitely feels like a genie, detached from any physical rules and ready to fulfill your wishes. However, artificial intelligence, unlike things like data storage in the cloud, AI requires physical data centers that use and process energy to run every question you ask, analyze every image you send, and comfort you every time you have a relationship issue. The energy used to run these massive data centers mostly comes from fossil fuels and the very water we drink. Major AI developers–often used by students– such as ChatGPT and Grok are privatized companies that rely on the water citizens pay for in order to run. As a result, these massive data centers parch the land they are built on dry, driving residents of often low-income and minority communities away from their homes. In addition, the rapid release of fossil fuel emissions contribute to the already worsening climate. This unfortunate result is easily represented by the recent weather change in Texas, with weather reaching an all-time high of 80 degrees in December!
Artificial Intelligence is not only wreaking havoc on our environment, but on the minds of students as well. Relying on AI teaches us to quit thinking in favor of easy solutions, destroying critical thinking and media literacy skills. Its immediate response inhibits gratification, leading us to be unable to sit still to watch a movie or read an article. This especially affects the younger generation, leading us to be unsatisfied with the rest of our lives when solutions are not immediately presented. Some on social media even joke or boast about using AI to write their essays, do their assignments, and essentially dictate their entire academic career, normalizing what should be a greatly dishonorable and easily avoidable act. When relying on AI to get you through a class, your grade may look sufficient, but if your brain hasn’t caught up, what’s the purpose?
Although some suggest Artificial Intelligence can have productive and beneficial effects when applied properly, its usage should be carefully considered and avoided within academic spheres, in order to lessen its effects and avoid normalizing the deterioration of our society and environment.
