“The Colorado River doesn’t flow into the ocean anymore,” said science teacher Shana Hains. 

     Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used all over the world for many things, funny birthday cards, advice on how to send a breakup text, or helping students with their homework. AI can be a helpful tool that does not harm, but the reality is that it does so much damage. Not only on how people think, but also to the environment.

     Science teacher Gareth Engler believes artificial intelligence can do some very wonderful things to help out the world around it, but is aware of the damage it can do.

     “It is too early,” said Engler.

     Hains agrees with the idea that technology itself has done some wonderful things, but Hains is not fond of artificial intelligence itself. 

     “The purpose of technology is to move science society forward…[it] should help in a positive way,” Hains said

     One of the biggest parts of artificial intelligence that has negatively affected the environment is its use of water. All of these artificial intelligence companies have so many datacenters running at a time, and the main way to calm these datacenters down is to use water, through a process called ‘liquid cooling.’ Energy is used, and that indicates more water is required to cool the datacenters down. Expressed by both Engler and Hains, water is something that is always in need. 

     “Water is precious,” Engler said.

     AI uses a lot of energy, and this energy, in turn, causes more harm to happen to the environment. “The more humans run on AI, the more energy is used,” Hains said. Energy is used, making it so many other outside elements have to come together to help all the energy stay in place, using up resources from the environment. (new.mit.org)

      Engler also has a strong opinion on how much energy AI is using and how it affects the environment.

     “This energy comes with a cost…and environmental cost,” Engler said.

     Artificial intelligence in education is another way it is damaging. AI has made it through the school system, with students using artificial intelligence to cheat on tests. For teachers, using artificial intelligence to teach their students how not to use artificial intelligence. The biggest worry from Hains is not how students are using AI, but what using it is doing to their brains and how they use their problem-solving skills.

    “[students] have to learn how to learn,” said Hains

     AI is making it easy for students not to care about learning. Students are able to grab their phone or their computer and look up an answer to what they are trying to figure out. Hains believes this is something teachers and students alike should be worried about.

     “Students can’t write on their own. [Everything] corrects automatically, making it so they can’t recognize their own mistakes.”

     Generation Z and Generation Alpha are the future of the world, and Hains is worried that they won’t be able to succeed because they don’t think with their brains; they think with their phones.

     “If you don’t work the brain, it doesn’t work,” stated Hains, “Everything is fixed for [students], ‘I can just put that in my computer’” stated Hains     

      Engler agrees with Hain’s statement; he also believes that education is failing the more artificial intelligence is being used.

     “It’s scary how it affects education,” said Engler

     The use of artificial intelligence comes down to the idea that with the constant use of it, students and other people aren’t getting the skills they will need later in life.

     “I fear people will not be getting some skills [necessary],” said Engler

     Hains also isn’t fond of artificial intelligence because of what people don’t know about it. People aren’t sure who owns the companies and where all the information is going, which is the main reason why she is skeptical.

     “Can [companies] own that?” said Hains.

     Engler doesn’t agree with the idea to the extent to which Hains does, yet he agrees that access to information should not be as accessible. Engler believes that there should be a way making artificial intelligence less accessible.

     “Access would be one thing… some kind of bedding process.”

    Most people have access to artificial intelligence. They can look it up on their phones, iPads, or computers. This makes it so anyone can access and use artificial intelligence for reasons that are unnecessary.

      Artificial intelligence has been a tool that has been used to expand the world for many good reasons, especially in the medical field; however, unnecessary uses of AI has a great, negative impact on the environment we love and are around every day.