One of the most controversial topics in education today is the use of artificial intelligence, or AI. While beneficial towards efficiency and handling tedious online tasks, there are many drawbacks that people have when it comes to the use of AI in education and schools.
AI dates way back to the mid 1900s, starting in 1950, but it wasn’t until the release of ChatGPT that people began using it in their everyday lives. Now, with AI becoming more mainstream and part of people’s routines, people are giving AI a closer look and seeing how it impacts the world, individuals, and even the environment.
Many people understand and know that the use of AI is reportedly harmful to the environment. In 2025 alone, reports indicate that AI used 765 billion liters of water; more water than every single water bottle brand ever made. The water comes into play due to the massive cooling needs of data centers for generative AI.
Not everyone understands the impact that AI has on the environment, but some do. Cardozo junior Brianna shared that she is against the use of AI because of the environmental impact.
“AI is destroying our environment and reducing our generation of having a future,” she explained. “26% of Earth today doesn’t have clean access to water which means one in four people don’t have uncontaminated water available.”
She also explained that her position stems from job opportunities in the U.S. “A lot of AI facilities are in rural parts of the U.S. and additionally, [AI] steals jobs and conditions people to become dumb and lazier,” Brianna added.
There are many people who are worried about individuals becoming too reliant on technology in various aspects; specifically education. However, there are some teachers who see the positives in using AI, as well as the dangers involved.
AP English teacher Mrs. Galvin shared that there are both positives and negatives. “AI, like many forms of technology, has its advantages and its drawbacks,” she explained. “It is a terrific tool for improving efficiency and allowing people to complete tasks quickly and expose people to ideas they’d never before considered.”
Teachers have also pointed out that AI can be helpful to tailoring lesson plans to “meet specific student needs” in a timely fashion. However, there are many drawbacks from the education perspective when it comes to student work and plagiarism. Students often become too reliant on AI, which increases cases of academic dishonesty in classrooms.
Compared to those who are against or neutral about AI, senior Yusuf believes that AI is at a turning point and is incredibly important. He believes that humans need AI to continue moving forward as a society and that it will continue to rise over the course of the coming years.
“If you don’t use AI while it’s still being introduced, you will fall behind,” he stated. For baby boomers and millennials, there are many individuals who still can’t understand how to use technology. AI can assist in that.
“A lawyer once told me, ‘AI is already here and it’s already consumed us. It’s already out there and people are already using it. There’s no stopping AI. It’s everyone’s opportunity to use it to their own advantage and if you become overly reliant, it’s all on yourself,'” Yusuf added.
It’s clear that throughout society, humans will always evolve; it’s just a matter of which way. Whether we stop using it to save our clean water sources or take advantage of the early opportunities that are given to us with AI, society will never be able to know until it’s too late to take their decisions back.
Being aware of the harms but also aware of the benefits is crucial to understanding which path to follow. Will AI manipulate us, or will we be able to manipulate how we use AI?
