ChatGPT is an artificial technology program that can generate essays, poems, and other written works. Recently, there have been many instances where students use this AI in education to plagiarize, which has disrupted academic institutions everywhere. Schools in New York began the wave of blocking this technology, and Stamford Public Schools followed their path in order to prevent students from cheating the system. This raised the question of whether or not we should use AI and what kind of detriment it can cause.

I recognize that certain industries like the medical industry use AI to obtain information that can save lives. However, many other uses create conflict, specifically in intellectualism and art. The issue is that artificial technology is exactly what it sounds like: artificial. Necessary academic skills like transforming valuable ideas into writing may no longer be authentic. As machine learning becomes more advanced, the quality of what it can produce is increasing as well. People can take advantage of this to cheat and take shortcuts, which threatens the realm of academic integrity. 

Technologies like ChatGPT are some of the most harmful threats to the education system. Just by answering a few simple questions, entire pieces of writing can be composed in a matter of seconds. Students can sit back and relax while technology does their assignments, research papers, and other work for them. Not only does this eliminate the purpose of learning, but it is also unfair to those who do complete their work honestly. Students can even have their college essays written by AI and avoid having to tell their personal stories through their own developed ideas. This gives people access to a way out of completing key components of their academic journeys.

As of right now, AI can also generate pictures of art at a much faster rate than any human is capable of. The purpose of art is to allow artists to express their ideas and emotions through visual creations. AI diminishes the uniqueness and human connection to art. It also stifles artists in a field that already has high competition and often low pay. People will be discouraged to spend time, money, and effort developing their artistic craft if technology can produce something similar in no time. How long will it be before AI advances enough to create sculptures that match the quality of Michelangelo? Should we marvel at the work that an AI makes if it matches the quality of those who dedicate their lives to master the field? These are uncomfortable questions for people to digest because they show how quickly our value can be taken away from us. 

Technology is supposed to aid us, not replace us. AI threatens our purpose as humans. It must be regulated and used responsibly so that we can continue to grow and thrive with our own minds and passions guiding us.