Recently, a tremendous shift in the use of technology has taken place. When ChatGPT was first introduced, people treated it as an interesting novelty that you could use to create entertaining content. However, as generative AI became increasingly advanced, people started using it for a broader spectrum of uses. (Liang et al., 2025) In this moment in time, an overwhelming number of people use generative AI daily. (Beshay & Beshay, 2025) While generative AI is technologically very exciting, I think we should all proceed with great caution and be more aware when we use it.
The first reason for this is the massive burden that generative AI imposes on the environment. The enormous number of resources it takes to maintain the status quo is immense. (Zhuk, 2023) In an era where we are already being challenged with environmental issues on many fronts, minimizing the impact of generative AI on the environment should prove to be significant, and compared to other environmental issues, an easy win. (Berthelot, Caron, Jay, & Lefèvre, 2024)
Not only are we suffering from the effects of generative AI on a global scale, but also in our personal lives. I think there would be great benefits in limiting our usage of generative AI. By using generative AI as a personal companion, we can lose touch with reality. (Fang et al., 2025) Generative AI tends to react in a way that validates whatever we say. (Sharma, Liao, & Xiao, 2024) So, if we are faced with different opinions in real life, a feeling of detachment can arise. (Idem.) In addition, there are more implications on a personal level, such as a negative impact on attention (Zhai et al., 2024).
While generative AI is a tool that can be very effective in a work environment, I think we should refrain from using it excessively. It is still a very novel technique, so long-term effects have not been studied yet. However, it is a fact that it impacts the environment negatively. I think it is also safe to say that not relying on generative AI too much will positively impact our brain health.
References:
Beshay, & Beshay. (2025, April 3). 1. Artificial intelligence in daily life: Views and experiences. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/03/artificial-intelligence-in-daily-life-views-and-experiences/
Berthelot, A., Caron, E., Jay, M., & Lefèvre, L. (2024). Estimating the environmental impact of Generative-AI services using an LCA-based methodology. Procedia CIRP, 122, 707–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2024.01.098
Fang, C. M., Liu, A. R., Danry, V., Lee, E., Chan, S. W. T., Pataranutaporn, P., Maes, P., Phang, J., Lampe, M., Ahmad, L., & Agarwal, S. (2025, March 21). How AI and human behaviors shape psychosocial effects of chatbot use: a longitudinal randomized controlled study. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.17473
Liang, W., Zhang, Y., Codreanu, M., Wang, J., Cao, H., & Zou, J. (2025, February 13). The widespread adoption of large language Model-Assisted writing across society. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.09747
Sharma, N., Liao, Q. V., & Xiao, Z. (2024). Generative Echo Chamber? Effect of LLM-Powered Search Systems on Diverse Information Seeking. Roceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’24), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642459
Zhai, C., Wibowo, S., & Li, L. D. (2024). The effects of over-reliance on AI dialogue systems on students’ cognitive abilities: a systematic review. Smart Learning Environments, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-024-00316-7
Zhuk, A. (2023). Artificial intelligence impact on the environment: Hidden ecological costs and Ethical-Legal Issues. Journal of Digital Technologies and Law, 1(4), 932–954. https://doi.org/10.21202/jdtl.2023.40
I totally agree with you on the impact on the environment, that is an undeniable issue. I also agree that AI is not intended to be a therapist or any kind of substitute for real human connections. But, in work not using AI can be an extreme disadvantage since so many peers are most probably using it. When a person uses it as intended, AI can provide a drastic opportunity for productivity and set aside time for the more important things (that AI for instance cannot help with). For me, it is more about balance and being mindful of the downsides, but also using it at your advantage.
Thank you for your comment! I think were pretty much alined, and balance is definitely key here. I fully agree with you that ignoring AI in professional settings can put someone at a disadvantage, since it’s already becoming such an integral part of how many people work. At the same time, I feel that being mindful of when and how we use it is just as important.
For me, it’s less about rejecting generative AI outright and more about approaching it consciously.
Hi! insightful post, and I really agree with your points here. The environmental cost of generative AI is something people don’t talk about enough, and like you said, it should be one of the easier issues to address compared to other global challenges.
I also think you’re right about the personal side effects. If we use AI too much as a companion, it might change how we think and deal with real people and disagreements. Geoffrey Hinton, the ‘godfather of AI, ‘ even warned that AI could create massive risks like spreading misinformation or behave in ways we don’t fully understand or can’t easily control, with the information we share. If someone with his experience is worried, I think that’s something we need to take seriously.
While I do agree with your post, I do find the use of an AI generated image as the illustration for this post a bit questionable. Still, good job!
Thanks for your feedback! I get what you mean, and I don’t usually lean on AI for visuals—just filled the gap here since art isn’t really my strong suit haha.