Artificial Intelligence, better known by its acronym, AI, is a set of technologies that can mimic human behavior, such as creating art, stories, solving different problems, and much more. AI has become notable in recent years, with the release of different internet chatbots such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Meta AI. AI chatbots are software applications designed to have human-like conversations with their user. They can do a wide variety of tasks, with some restrictions in place on mainstream chatbots.
The release of this technology to the public has been controversial, with some people being concerned with how fast AI is developing, and especially about what abilities it may possess in the future. “I feel like it’s causing more harm than good for society. People are losing jobs due to AI, and there can be false or offensive material created with it,” said sophomore Jade Cedeno.
Other members of the Osbourn High School community have mixed opinions on Artificial Intelligence, stating that there are pros and cons to the technology. “I feel like when it’s used properly, it can be a good tool to help finish menial tasks that no one wants to do, but a lot of people use it to cheat on their work or make ‘art, ‘ when it’s just stealing from artists and writers. Studies have shown that it’s making us dumber. I think when it’s used correctly, it can be helpful, but the way most people use it is making us stupider,” said junior Matt Dalmas. “I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, the possibilities for human advancement due to AI are huge. For example, I know doctors can use AI to assist with complex medical diagnoses. This may help those with serious illnesses have access to more and better treatments. On the other hand, I worry that AI will replace many lower-level workers in the workplace,” said Dr. Rebecca Small.
Osbourn High School has implemented some anti-AI policies to avoid plagiarism in writing and to encourage students to do their work, rather than having a robot do it for them. “I like the policy, but AI detectors may also detect things that aren’t even AI, so people who don’t use it may get punished. But for those who do use AI, I believe that they should face consequences in some way,” said Cedeno.
While Osbourn High School does have anti-AI policies when it comes to students completing work, many students have noted that the school has been using AI images in some of their presentations and on signs around the school. “I like the idea of ‘let’s have a cute little eagle,’ but as an artist myself, I feel like AI art is really soulless and lazy. I think it would be better to contact art students. Even though it’s not as fast, it would make for a better community, showcasing students’ work,” said Dalmas.
The thought of unregulated and unlimited Artificial Intelligence being a possibility in the future concerns some. Many worry that it will replace lower-level jobs, and especially jobs of those who are artists and maybe even teachers later on. “The thought of AI will impact what job I look for in the future. AI is very unregulated, very new, and a lot of jobs are already being impacted. It reminds me of the invention of the camera and how it affected paintings. Painting and these art forms are being abused by capitalists to devalue the work,” said junior Cash Davis.
Many people around the globe are calling on governments, especially the United States government, to put in place restrictions and regulations on certain types of Artificial Intelligence that could be deemed harmful. Congress has held numerous hearings on the topic of AI, but according to the White House, the Trump administration seems more focused on progressing AI further than it is on restricting certain aspects of the technology. President Donald Trump has signed multiple executive orders to reverse former President Joe Biden’s plan that, in Trump’s words, “hinders AI innovation and imposes radical left-wing ideas” on AI.
“The government should prevent its employees from using AI. It should also be strict on inappropriate AI-generated content that depicts real people, as that can be life-ruinous,” said senior Ian Knox.
Artificial Intelligence is a fast-evolving technology, able to perform new tasks daily and make more realistic-looking pictures and videos. While the public’s opinion on AI is divided, most Osbourn students and staff are skeptical about whether this technology is and should be our future. “AI is impacting this generation’s social behavior, where young people are not communicating with each other, but instead replacing their daily human interaction with AI chatbots. We’ve seen horrible cases where AI chatbots have encouraged people to do awful things, as AI, like ChatGPT, is strictly programmed to only be a yes-man,” said Knox.
What do you think about Artificial Intelligence? Should it be regulated by the United States Government?
