Within the last two years, artificial intelligence has become an inevitable part of work, school and leisure. Even those with reservations and skepticisms are gaining a basic understanding of these tools simply because of how omnipresent they have become.
But with this universal presence of AI technology, there is an accompanying universal confusion and moral ambiguity that comes alongside it. With the power to write and generate anything within human imagination, there are inevitably going to be some concerns about where boundaries lie. Here are some basic tips to make sure you are wielding this world-changing technology responsibly.
Don’t use it excessively
There are a lot of reasons to avoid relying on chatbots or other generative AI tools, not the least of which is the loss of critical thinking skills. Especially in school settings, using AI tools to replace skill-building tasks prevents growth and learning by outsourcing the hard work to a computer.
Even more, the environmental impact of data centers creates concerns about the usage of AI. Large data centers, which process all of the computing power of AI, can use up to 5 million gallons of water everyday to cool their computers, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Energy consumption in the US is expected to more than double by 2030, according to the PEW Research Center, largely as a result of generative AI tools.
As AI usage continues to spread, its industries will only grow and the demand for more energy will only continue to increase. For some, this is a good enough reason to boycott AI entirely. For all, it should be a consideration when thinking about personal habits.
Maintain a professional relationship
Sure, AI has academic and practical uses, but many people have found themselves forming personal bonds with chatbots. It may seem ridiculous, but stories of AI romances are not isolated incidents. Not only that, but many people have fallen victim to paranoia, psychosis and suicide because of the implicitly agreeable nature of chatbots.
It’s imperative not to dismiss these stories as one-off occasions. They are indicators of human vulnerability and tendency to attach, especially in desperate situations. Chatbots are a perfect storm for anyone struggling with mental illness or social isolation, and it is important to be aware of the dangers of being too trusting and reliant on any AI “friends.”
Don’t use it for cruelty or violation
AI image generation gives users the power to create lifelike images of anything imaginable within moments. Due to the unfortunate nature of humans and the internet, this has led to a lot of problematic and traumatic content, such as lifelike pornographic videos featuring the likenesses of unconsenting women or children.
Again, while this may seem like an outlier situation, it is important to recognize the true power and scope of these tools. The power to create any image at any time or any thing is easy to exploit, and many online have already begun to. Just because Grok can generate the image, does not mean it should exist or that it has no moral implications.
Be skeptical
Some features of AI seem too good to be true. That’s because they are. It’s not some magical machine that thinks for itself, but a computer program made by and fueled with words written and spoken by people. Rather than objective machines, chatbots and other generative AI tools are rife with bias. Professionals recommend never to take the words of chatbots at face value and to fact check the information, as they are known to “hallucinate” random, false information.
AI could be pulling data from either the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Reddit post from 2012 or making up the information entirely.
Remember that these tools are actively being built and developed, and that most of the “thinking” is still beyond our comprehension to break down. There are a lot of unknowns, so trust should not be given easily.
Be honest about your usage
Every classroom and workplace has different policies about how, when and why AI use should happen. In a time of unknowns, it makes sense why some companies or organizations are not embracing it with open arms.
It is up to each individual whether they will follow AI guidelines, but the least one can do is be honest about AI produced material. Text and image generation are now good enough to fool the untrained eye. Creating a culture of transparency would at least help the internet, and the world as a whole, deal with the AI revolution and rapidly changing media landscape. It’s about respecting people’s wishes, not relying wholeheartedly on AI tools and trying to set up a world where AI can be interesting and helpful rather than deceptive and frightening.
Say thank you
Even if that’s not your cup of tea, practicing basic manners when using chatbots just seems like a simple way to not take its labor for granted, even if it has no idea it’s doing it.
And if that’s not enough reason, look to Blade Runner 2049, which implies intelligent and beautiful robot girlfriends are in the near future. When that becomes a possibility, it seems most logical to be on good terms with that faction of society. A simple “thank you” might mean a lot during the inevitable fall of the human race.
