This week, our lecture focused on the role of AI in education, a topic that I have mixed feelings about. While I recognize the potential benefits AI offers in the classroom, I also have significant concerns, particularly regarding its environmental impact and ethical implications. I appreciated that the lecture did not simply promote AI usage but instead provided a balanced perspective on both the advantages and challenges it presents.
One of the most thought provoking discussions was on AI’s accessibility and efficiency. AI can serve as a powerful tool for both students and educators, providing quick information, assisting with lesson planning, and even helping generate reports or emails. These aspects of AI could potentially save educators time, allowing them to focus more on student engagement and instruction. Additionally, AI generated images can be useful when specific visuals are needed but cannot be easily found elsewhere.
However, despite these advantages, I find myself hesitant to integrate AI into my personal and professional life. One major concern is AI’s environmental footprint. AI requires a vast amount of energy and water to function, and its reliance on rare metals raises sustainability issues. As someone who actively tries to reduce their environmental impact in daily life, I struggle with the idea of using AI when I know it contributes to these issues. I believe that more research and innovation should be directed toward reducing AI’s carbon footprint before we fully embrace it as an everyday tool.
Beyond the environmental impact, AI also raises ethical concerns. The issue of plagiarism is particularly relevant in education AI generated content often lacks proper citation, making it difficult to verify sources. Additionally, AI has been developed primarily from a Western perspective, which can result in biased or incomplete information about non Western cultures and histories. This bias can lead to misinformation or reinforce existing inequalities, making it essential for educators to critically evaluate AI generated content before using it in the classroom.
Another concern is the potential for AI to replace human jobs. While AI can streamline tasks, there is a fine line between using AI as a tool and allowing it to diminish opportunities for professionals, such as artists, writers, and educators. For example, AI generated art has become increasingly sophisticated, leading some companies to rely on AI rather than hiring human artists. This shift raises questions about the value of human creativity and the ethics of replacing skilled professionals with technology.
Ultimately, while I see AI’s potential benefits, I am not comfortable using it in its current state due to its environmental impact and ethical concerns. I do, however, acknowledge that AI is becoming an integral part of modern society, and as a future educator, I will need to guide students in its responsible use. I hope to see advancements in AI that address these challenges, making it a more sustainable and ethical tool. If AI technology evolves in a way that minimizes harm to the environment and ensures ethical integrity, I may reconsider my stance and incorporate it into my teaching practice. Until then, I will remain cautious and critical of its use.