Artificial intelligence is threatening to take over everything – jobs, our planet, and our minds. The job market is collapsing, valuable natural resources are fleeting, and we are losing the ability to think for ourselves, all because of technology. Can this be stopped?
In the digital age, it is increasingly hard to avoid using AI. Often, we use it without realizing. But we must resist artificial intelligence to better our world and our minds. Overreliance on technological systems only increases human stupidity, and it is time we combat this before our brain cells become too weak to do so.
Chatbots Replacing Human Beings
Developed in 2022, ChatGPT is now one of the most widely used artificial intelligence chatbots worldwide. From coding to typing cover letters, ChatGPT will spit out responses to exactly what you need in a matter of seconds. It is convenient, but within this user-friendly help lies potential danger.
It’s no secret that AI is replacing jobs, and a few years ago, ChatGPT was primarily used for work-related tasks. But today, many people use ChatGPT solely for personal use (AOL). They type questions into an AI chatbot the same way they would for a Google or YouTube search, or use it for writing help, subsequently placing less importance on real human writing skills. I personally know people who cannot send out texts or emails without using ChatGPT. This proves that AI is no longer just a tool; it is a lifeline for people.
Having to rely on ChatGPT 24/7 is like being addicted to your phone or cigarettes, but frankly, it is more embarrassing. This over-reliance on technology leads people to lose intelligence and independence.
Chatbots can even act as emotional companions, replacing real friendship and companionship. I see this as a risk to our youth, who may struggle to distinguish fact from fiction. A few days ago, I was testing the AI voice feature, and the voice sounded uncanny. I felt as though I was speaking with a real human. The bot mimicked authentic emotions in its tone of voice and responded just as quickly as a friend would. Because these chatbots are designed to be so human-like, there is a real threat that they could replace humans and our valuable, authentic social interactions.
The Environmental Impact of AI
According to the United Nations Environment Assembly, one request made through ChatGPT consumes 10 times as much electricity as a Google Search. The large volume of ChatGPT searches daily generates significant electronic waste, and these AI data centers produce harmful substances such as lead and mercury (UNEP).
On top of electronic waste, fresh water is being wasted. The UNEP explains that AI data centers “are large consumers of water, which is becoming scarce in many places.” To keep these centers running, minerals are mined unsustainably, allowing more greenhouse gases to be emitted into our atmosphere. While global warming, a lack of clean water, and the depletion of renewable resources are already major issues, artificial intelligence makes them even more perilous.
Vanishing Critical Thinking Skills
Aside from the enduring environmental damage AI causes to our planet, perhaps the graver problem is that it is rapidly destroying human minds. A reliance on AI systems diminishes overall critical thinking skills and replaces them with greater human stupidity.
Technological advancements are contributing to an ongoing literacy crisis in schools. Students are struggling to read. Their attention spans are shorter. They cannot critically analyze and question information.
In the year 2026, everyone wants to find answers quickly and use as little brainpower as possible. Co-dependent thinking has become the norm. From a personal, professional, intellectual, and political standpoint, this inability to think for oneself is a major issue. It is one we should all fear.
A Message to all AI-coholics:
If you cannot think for yourself, having a computer think for you puts you under the control of a technological system. Your brain is a valuable resource that AI can never fully replicate, and knowledge is power. Just because the artificial intelligence tools are available, it doesn’t mean you have to let them limit your own intelligence. Say goodbye to AI.
Featured image via Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash
