Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous. Chatgupt, co-pilot and Deepsek attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every day. AI art is ubiquitous on sites such as Pinterest and Instagram, and enthusiasts argue that even mediums such as music videos and films will be created entirely by artificial intelligence programs in the not too distant future. Individuals who needed advice and questions now flocked to Google to look at hundreds of results. Instead, they get a concisely written paragraph that may or may not be in effect correct. Some people use it for treatment and advice by leaking the problem and hoping that the coding behind the chat bubble is something useful to say.
At first glance, it seems ideal. At least some futuristic movie stuff we all are growing up is a real manifestation of what the 2020s is expected. Having a robot that knows everything in your palm makes it seem like you're just a step away from the flying car, but it's definitely more convenient. But the generator AI we have served over the past few years has a much darker side to it.
Workers as machinery
When explaining AI generated to someone you don't know, the general response is “Isn't it all about Internet AI?” However, as generative artificial intelligence became more accessible, the definition of what it meant changed. What is currently most commonly described as AI is based on machine learning via artificial neural networks, and programs need to provide a huge amount of data to “learning.”
And, of course, there are people behind providing this data. It is essentially what it means for data workers and content moderators to teach AI programs to be far below the minimum wage.
Simply put, the growing AI industry today could not operate without the exploitation of workers from vulnerable communities that were not provided with protection or decent working conditions. It is also a common practice to avoid hiring people through third-party companies and employing them as contractors to provide profits. It offers the same functionality as Google, but in a chat format. The question of whether it is worthwhile should not be raised.
Environmental impact
The environmental impact of AI, particularly generative AI, varies. It starts with the enormous amount of power and electricity and the resulting emissions required to train and execute the system in question.
Data centers that house AI deployments have contributed even further to environmental disadvantages and are taking on issues over already deadly greenhouse gas emissions. The elements necessary to create a microchip that runs programs one by one are often mined in an environmentally destructive manner.
Of course, that doesn't stop. The waste generated by the data center in question regularly contains hazardous substances such as lead and mercury. Furthermore, and perhaps most controversial, according to UNEP, it uses six times the water that Denmark (population: 6 million) to use water for its electricity components that power and cool it.
With the increased use of data centers to use AI on power sources, it is undoubtedly impossible to try to correct environmental damage that has already caused environmental damage while trying to deal with other factors that are harmful to the environment.
Cognitive decline
Additionally, the feeling of having a genie asking a magical question in her palm had a negative effect on cognitive development, learning, and decline, which could be expected. Rather than looking for a library for books and magazines, students rely on AI for their assignments and answers to questions. Adults with office work turn to ChatGpt to write simple and simple email responses. Of course, this eases the process of passing through college and work days, but also causes problems with problem-solving ability, understanding and analytical skills.
Consistently looking for AI bots to simplify concepts means that individual cognitive skills development does not have to work. Why do mobile phone robots struggle to research, read, or ask someone a simple question when they have all the answers?
The ubiquitous lack of understanding means an increase in illiteracy as children and students accept information they provide without truly understanding the meaning behind the concept at hand. Generations where generator AI is readily available may weaken cognitive functions collectively than recorded.
With the negative environmental impact of the problem, and the effects it has proven to have on those who supply fuel, and the social impacts, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, generative AI may be moving forward to make a detrimental contribution to some aspects of our daily lives. Of course, there are benefits to making technological advancements at any time in a ready state. Although working life is easier, information is widely accessible, and research and learning capabilities have the ability to name some names, the cost of generating AI is already starting to be oversimplified.
reference
United Nations Environment Programme. (2024, September 21st). AI has environmental issues. This is what the world can do about it.
Williams, A., Miceli, M. , & Gebru, T. (2022, October 13th). Exploited labor behind artificial intelligence. Noema Magazine.
Westfall, C. (2024, December 18th). Dark Side of AI: Tracks the decline of human cognitive skills. Forbes.
