AI, or artificial intelligence, is a set of technologies that allows computers to learn and perform a variety of advanced tasks in ways that used to rely on human intelligence. According to Michigan Tech, AI has the ability to perform tasks like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception and language understanding.1 Instead of relying on explicit instructions from a programmer, AI systems learn from data that enables them to handle complex problems and simple repetitive tasks, improving how they respond over time. Although AI seems extremely helpful and convenient, it poses many downsides I feel outweigh its benefits.
According to a recent article in the Harvard Gazette, “excessive reliance on AI-driven solutions” may contribute to “cognitive atrophy” and shrinking of critical thinking abilities.2
Additionally, MIT’s Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna shared findings from a new study showing that relying solely on AI for tasks like writing can reduce brain activity and memory.3 Do we really want to develop a world where computers do everything and our strong, intricate brains hardly work anymore? Nearly everyday in class, when me and my peers are confused about our work, I find that almost all of them turn to using AI instead of putting in the work to learn and problem solve which is sad to see. When the schoolwork feels meaningless to my classmates and I, we don’t even bat an eye before we turn to AI due to it being an easy outlet to finish our loads of busy work. This may pose the argument that AI is an easy way to help students learn, but we’re not considering the long term consequences of them not retaining information and relying on technology to learn.
I think that the biggest negative impact of AI is its environmental destruction. These are some examples of alarming statistics according to the sustainable agency’s article on the environmental impacts of AI.4 Generative AI released roughly as much carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere as New York City in 2025 and by 2030, data centers are predicted to emit triple the amount of CO2. These CO2 levels cause global warming by trapping heat from sunlight. A short conversation of 20-50 questions and answers with ChatGPT costs half a liter of fresh water. A mid-sized data center consumes around 300,000 gallons of water a day. We are expected to have water shortages in up to 30 countries by 2040. AI data centers also affect local communities by creating a high demand for power and water, often straining local resources and reducing water availability for irrigation.
As a high school student thinking about what I want to do as a career, I have to take into consideration that companies may not want to hire actual people to do jobs in the future and will instead choose to use AI and automated systems. 30% of current U.S. jobs could be automated by 2030; 60% will have tasks significantly modified by AI.5 I feel like in certain fields, like the medical field, AI can be useful and more effective than humans for disease diagnosis and identification. Other than that, there are jobs that should be left to humans
This whole AI mess makes me miss the days when technology wasn’t involved in everything such as art, music, and even relationships. When people have a hard time making friends or significant others, people turn to chat with AI and develop relationships with this system that is programmed to agree with you. AI has started replacing artists, due to people generating images instead of going and painting or drawing it themselves, and it has even been implemented into the music and film industry. I have such a deep appreciation for art, music and film and there’s a beauty in the hard work put into art and a certain magic that can only be achieved from a human touch. I feel like it’s not true art if it isn’t made by humans. Art is one of the original forms of human connection and AI has no place to be a part of it. I think AI is harmful in many ways and should not be normalized.
- Michigan Tech – https://www.mtu.edu/computing/ai/
- Harvard Gazette – https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/is-ai-dulling-our-minds/
- MIT Media Lab – https://www.media.mit.edu/articles/a-i-s-effects-on-the-brain/
- The Sustainable Agency – https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/environmental-impact-of-generative-ai/
- National University – https://www.nu.edu/blog/ai-job-statistics/
