Students everywhere seem to be rallying in support of AI, but what implications does this impose on education, property, and the environment? AI usage relies on learned behaviors which grow overtime, taking from preexisting materials to do so. With this in mind, concerns arise about the proper use of AI and how its overuse can harm various industries. 

     AI primarily finds combatants in the education sector, where AI checkers run rampant. Especially in college settings, essays and other written works are run through AI checking software to ensure authenticity on behalf of the student. This, however, can be a foggy solution to AI overuse. As AI learns from already published source material, it is simply copying writing styles used in its learning process. So, when a student is accused of AI usage over the use of a colon or em dash, it is hard to prove guilt. Could it be that the student’s hands are truly bloodied of AI use, or does that student just have a sophisticated writing style similar to that of AI learning materials? 

     This leads into a grander question: at what point does teaching an AI become theft? AI generated art and writing has become unavoidable, but the real issue is what its creation doesn’t avoid: theft. As Artificial Intelligence is trained using existing art pieces and writings, it has been found that many artists’ work is used without permission in this training process. Thus, the AI can copy an artist’s art style, unlawfully taking from that artist. By utilizing the artworks of millions of artists, AI programs learn to make myriad styles of art pieces, putting artists out of work, all while stealing their intellectual property. Furthermore, AI programs may even suggest using these artists’ styles, all without permission. This can lead to lawsuits, some where the original artist, despite providing evidence of originality, is still ruled against in court.

     While millions of people use AI for writing help, artistic renderings, and more, it all contributes to a larger environmental conversation. AI programs are stored in data centers, facilities large enough to run as many searches and calculations needed to answer a user’s prompt. This takes a lot of electricity, and ends up heating up these centers to a high degree. So high, in fact, that local water sources are needed to cool them. While this depletes water reservoirs, it also emits more heat into the environment. So, the use of AI depletes water sources to try and combat the extreme heat levels it emits, creating a chain that will end shortly. Once water can no longer be supplied, these centers will continue to heat up, causing the environment to increase in temperature as well. 

     AI overuse is a major issue in 2025. As people use this tool to create art or help write an assignment, they not only contribute to the theft of artists and authors, but also to the theft of a healthy environment. If we don’t begin to regulate AI to a greater extent, art will lose individuality, writing will become mundane, and the environment will continue to heat rapidly. So, before you ask ChatGPT for a funny image or some help with your history essay, consider the ethical implications, and who you are truly taking from. You aren’t taking from Artificial Intelligence, you are taking from the world around you.

This article was edited by Amaan Musani.