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By: Sophia Kibler

   Generative artificial intelligence is making students lazy. Within the past few years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly more prevalent in day-to-day life due to tech companies’ integration of these new technologies into their products. Students have become over-reliant on artificial intelligence technology, and in doing so, it’s reversing the effects of any meaningful education they receive. 

   In an academic setting, AI is a complete crutch. AI fills in the blanks for the brain instead of allowing real comprehension to occur. I think using AI in the classroom to help with comprehension is harmless in itself, but it turns into a slippery slope. Once an individual has the generative bot explain a topic to them, it’s only another prompt input until. This can lead to overreliance on the technology, taking away the cognitive abilities and critical thinking needed to operate as a successful student. 

   AI is also just highly impersonal. When somebody writes something with AI, people can usually tell. AI writing lacks humanity. According to an MIT study, “Two English teachers who assessed the [AI] essays called them largely ‘soulless.’” The sentiment is largely felt that AI in writing has a robotic feel to it, and it strips students of expressing creativity. This makes me question and worry about the future of creative writing as a whole. With generative AI on the rise, what will English classes look very bleak?

   Though some may argue that generative AI for school work can be used as a tool to benefit learning and comprehension, studies conducted by MIT state that, “…overreliance on [AI] can have unintended… cognitive consequences, especially for young people whose brains are still developing.” AI leads to a decrease in cognitive function, which is the opposite of what’s needed to become a successful student. Using AI doesn’t benefit anybody involved. It makes the person using it become lazy, and it has harsh environmental consequences. 

   AI usage leaves behind a large carbon footprint, according to the Sustainability by Number organization. Not only does AI lead to cognitive decline, but it also leads to detriment to the environment. The environmental impacts of AI also have harrowing effects on individuals living in already polluted and vulnerable areas. 

   The use of artificial intelligence in school doesn’t allow students to think critically or comprehend the information they learn. Student use of generative AI is detrimental to their education and mental health as a whole.