Over the last few years, I’ve faced a daunting challenge that directly affects my future career field and the creativity and idea-generating process that is crucial in every job market — artificial intelligence. 

It’s widely accepted that AI is here to stay, and for some, this application can be helpful in certain aspects of academia; however, will its perpetual use diminish the knowledge we deem critical to understand? 

AI is a multifaceted program that can compile data, write documents and even generate believable-looking photos.

Its intended use doesn’t end there, which is why people fear the application as a whole. 

I’m not referring to deepfakes and AI compiling statistical data, and this thought started becoming more and more evident after using it for a class. 

In an assignment where we were expected to ask AI to make memos for a certain objective, it was effortless. 

It took me about 15 minutes to write an 850-word memo outlining aspects of the project we were working on. 

In comparison to the time it would take to write it, it’s a shocking and concerning shortcut. 

It undermines the concept of knowing how to write documents most will come face to face with. 

As a society, if this becomes a common use, will our future generations understand the complexity and importance of consuming knowledge and being able to apply it?

This project wasn’t to teach us the shortcuts of the application but instead highlight its possible shortcomings. 

Yes, it created a memo in a fourth of the time it normally would, but it didn’t fully incorporate principles we actively use or want in formal writing. 

One specific example I found is that it doesn’t account for a directed audience.

While this is just one example there are many ways AI isn’t fully functional. So why do we use it and idolize it?

Is our future going to be using applications like AI to shortcut life and not learn valuable life skills?

If it is — and this is a harsh statement — that is beyond pathetic. 

It would be pathetic on a societal level to see the removal of simple life skills and concepts everyone should understand, yet I fear that could be the route society is headed towards. 

While I agree that AI can be helpful, it undermines the importance of learning basic life skills that you need for everyday life.

Regarding journalism, I find that brainstorming and idea-generating is a part of the job, so if you’re running to a computer to find inspiration, are you really a journalist? 

Beyond using AI to cheat on assignments, the application is a scapegoat for diminishing personal knowledge and education which is dire in real-life situations. 

With that being said, there should be more of an emphasis on teaching day-to-day life skills, instead of emphasizing shortcuts. 

Although I understand the importance of knowing how to use applications like AI, it’s more important to refrain from using AI and use your own skill set.