I am against the use of generative AI.
I do not use AI to code and I do not use it for any sort of creative work.
I usually try to avoid drama but I want to be clear about my feelings on AI. To be transparent, I have used AI in the past, sometimes out of curiosity to try it out and other times to try to breakdown a confusing math formula I couldn’t figure out through Google. It can be a great temptation to make a task just a little easier or use it if you are in a rush. I can’t count the number of times I’m setting up a thumbnail scene and thinking, “Ugh, I could just generate this.”
That being said, outside of the environmental discussion and the IP theft, the thing I worry most about it is the effect it can have on my mind.
I think using AI is like using recreational drugs: a shortcut to dopamine that, long term, can become problematic. Sure, some people can use it only a little bit and be fine but a lot more cannot (even if they think they can). “I can stop whenever I want.” They will try to convince you it’s totally great and try to convince you to use it to justify their own use of it. “Everybody is doing it,”or “It’s industry standard,” or “Oh, I only use to brainstorm.”
Someone once told me, “Oh, you hate AI because it’s going to take your job.” No, it won’t; it’s actually a benefit to me if people start using AI because I think it’ll be worse for them in the long run, helping me to stand out. So this isn’t some ”derangement.” This is a PSA.
Each person will have to decide how much they use AI and I am not going to be able to stop anyone. I’ll probably even occasionally still use it for a quick help or two.
However, something I want to make very clear is that using AI is not harmless. Each time you take that shortcut to brainstorm with it, code for you, or create that thumbnail, you are losing a chance to use your brain and increase your skills. You are choosing to smooth your brain a small amount. I’ve seen way too many people overdose on AI to believe it’s not a risk each time you use it.
So the next time you want to use AI as a shortcut, be sure to take second to ask yourself if it’s worth losing the chance to develop your mind.
In a time where critical thinking is so important, I refuse to let a bot do it for me.