The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence: A Growing Global Concern

Dear Editor,

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved rapidly and is now widely accepted, but its dangers should alarm everyone. AI is not just a fun tool; it is a serious threat to our planet and society. The technology uses a significant amount of water and energy, contributing to air pollution and accelerating climate change.

The effects of climate change are not evenly distributed. Poor communities, regions with higher populations of racial minorities, and immigrant neighborhoods will experience contaminated water and polluted air first. These communities are the most vulnerable and least equipped to handle these environmental challenges. It is crucial to denounce the use of AI before it is too late for all of us.

Even if you do not believe in climate change, the impacts of AI on older generations, women, and students are undeniable. Older adults are more susceptible to misinformation and less likely to trust online content. The internet has never been the most reliable source, but it can be handy for quick answers. However, the consequences of AI for women are alarming. Image generators are used to create lewd images and videos, which is extremely harmful to their well-being and nearly impossible to stop.

AI has also made plagiarism easier and harder to detect. Students can type a prompt into ChatGPT and receive their entire assignment. By making minor changes, they can submit it as their own. This undermines the purpose of education, which is to learn, challenge oneself, expand horizons, and develop critical thinking skills. Students who rely on AI will enter the workforce ill-prepared for careers and lacking essential knowledge. These individuals will become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and government officials, shaping our society.

If you agree that AI is ruining our planet and harming people, please do your research and avoid interacting with AI. Help others recognize the harmful impacts it has already had. Do not let this technology become more widespread and take the humanity out of the Earth.

Mollie Hamilton

Flushing

Frequently Asked Questions

How does AI contribute to climate change?

AI systems require significant amounts of energy and water, leading to increased air pollution and water contamination, which accelerate climate change.

Who is most affected by the environmental impacts of AI?

Poor communities, racial minorities, and immigrant neighborhoods are the most vulnerable to the environmental degradation caused by AI.

What are the ethical concerns of AI in education?

AI makes plagiarism easier and harder to detect, undermining the educational goals of learning, critical thinking, and personal growth.

How does AI affect older adults and women?

Older adults are more likely to fall for misinformation, while women are often victims of AI-generated lewd images and videos, which are harmful and easily accessible.

What can individuals do to mitigate the negative impacts of AI?

Do research, avoid interacting with AI, and help others recognize its harmful impacts. Promote ethical AI use and support regulations to control its development and deployment.