By ABI MAYS ’27
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 18 Sept 2026
Modern efforts to expedite production through Artificial Intelligence (AI) are almost as controversial as the millennial gray movement; except this digital devil does not only appear to be- but actually is- entirely cold, corporate and soulless.
AI saturates our current internet use, making its way into businesses, education and home life. Many see this as a benefit; for instance, OpenAI says their mission is “to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.” But how do we actually benefit? It can be argued that there is a time and place for technologies like these (certain uses of AI) in our lives. Consider spellcheck, which has been around since the 2010s. Over the past 15 years the empire of AI has grown past predictive forms and now includes generative and conversational abilities. Harvard’s Center for Research on Computation and Society published an article titled “10 Wonderful Examples of Using Artificial Intelligence for Good,” which discusses what researchers believe are valid uses of the technology. Examples from the article include: “cancer screening”, “save the bees” and “tools for people with disabilities”. Interestingly, this list in no way mentions day to day uses for average users. AI is marketed as a tool for problem-solving, pattern identification, communication and writing. But you and I are individuals who can do these things ourselves.
In an academic setting such as Houghton, the desire to defer to artificial intelligence must be called lazy, whether by students or faculty members. Allowing AI to “improve instruction” usurps the need for human connection to develop growth. We live in a world full of educational resources that inform us, inspire us and challenge us. At any age, the overuse of AI strips us of the opportunity to partake in these innately human opportunities.
Speaking of resources, if you look down at your feet right now, you’ll realize something… you are planted on the earth. This is the one and only earth we’ve got. We need to consider the consequences of our actions. Adam Zewe from MIT News says, “Rapid development and deployment of powerful generative AI models comes with environmental consequences, including increased electricity demand and water consumption.” With the use of water comes the concerns of local ecosystems and concerns build for the carbon footprint. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported this year that we are “past the point of no return” in regards to curbing greenhouse gas emissions risks, saying that “if everybody in the world consumed resources at the rate people do in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and EU (European Union) countries [a collection of the richest countries in the world], the equivalent of 3.3 earths would be needed to keep up with consumption levels.” Our earth needs time to produce natural resources and its resources are a gift that we cannot abuse. In any type of consumption, one must partake responsibly. As AI is a substantial contributor to this, one that is expanding rapidly, we should be mindful of its effects. As sourced from UN news, day-to-day usage accounts for roughly 80-90% of total energy demand. Just one widely used AI service is estimated to process around 2.5 billion prompts in a single day which builds to hundreds of gigawatt-hours of electricity every year.
Let’s look back at the truth of the situation. Everyone gets busy. If you don’t have time to make that presentation or poster, perhaps you should reconsider your priorities. Talk to someone today about a better way to manage your time! If you lack the skills, there are a multitude of tools that can actually aid you, not take the task away from you completely.
Nothing about generative AI producing images, music or writing is authentic or beneficial. What is instead produced is one more piece of computer-generated noise, thrown out there as “technological advancement” to pacify a society in need of constant entertainment and astonishment. Remember who you’re supporting when you use AI and what you’re sacrificing. Billionaires will drop a datacenter in your backyard and win the court case while you run out of water.
This is your reality check: refuse the use of AI where you can and be educated about the media you use. We share one earth, so let’s all do our best to keep it healthy and abundant.
Abigail Mays is a Senior studying Fine Arts. She is currently an assistant at the Ortlip Gallery and the president of the upcoming Student Independent Designers and Artists club. After graduation, she hopes to become an illustrator or continue working in the gallery. ★
