Our Position: Students need to recognize the personal and environmental costs of generative Artificial Intelligence and stop relying on it.

Nothing in life is free—for Americans at least. Not health care, not water, and not Artificial Intelligence (AI). Yes, Generative AI has free programs where you can ask or do seemingly anything with the tool, but ultimately, there’s a cost. So the LION asks, is tarnishing our environment and giving up your independence worth asking your question?

With the rise of AI, people, companies, and students (especially) are learning numerous and innovative ways to use the tool: making resumes, website chatboxes, and essay editing. Since, problems and effects of such usage have increased. 

How? AI power generators use immense amounts of water and energy to power and cool themselves. For reference, about 10 times more power than a Google search, according to ZME Science, and an estimated 6.6 billion milliliters of water by 2027, according to Forbes. That water is then contaminated and released into the local water source, which is often in minority neighborhoods. That power turns into heat and is released into our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. 

Too many of us protest for action against climate change and inequality but overlook the growing problem: AI. For example, nearly our whole generation has watched Brainrot Ballerina Capuchina. Plus, according to Harvard University, over 75% of students are using AI to help with their homework. Let’s call out hypocrisy. If we can boycott stores for supporting forms of inequality and collectively buy metal straws or reusable cups, why can’t we use an alternative search engine?

Now that you’ve heard the facts, how do you use AI?  To find research on a school assignment (what Google is for), to complete your homework (what your brain is for), or for advice (what people are for). These small actions have consequences, too, beyond the collective. Every question you type, you surrender the opportunity of free thinking, active learning, or human interaction. It’s similar to the dependency in movies where a robot cooks every meal, and then the humans forget how to cook. Or the human falls in love with a hologram. Or even now, as some of us have forgotten how to engage in meaningful conversations because of our dependence on our phones. 

How many people will have to taste metallic water before anyone asks why the water is discolored and cloudy? How many times will a climate change activist have to cry on stage before we pay any attention? How much of our independence will we have to surrender to stop asking, “Can you solve the limit of x approaching zero?” Finally, if your ChatGPT history were publicized tomorrow, would you be ashamed? 

If you don’t want to save our planet or save your peers, have some pride and save yourself. Stop endorsing AI, stop justifying the costs of this tool, and be the start of a change by stopping your use of AI, because one way or another, we pay for everything.

Staff Vote: 20-3