AI in Academics

By: Annie Y. ‘26

In the past few years, artificial intelligence, or AI, has undergone something of a revolution. No longer relegated to cautionary tales by authors like Ray Bradbury, AI—particularly generative AI—has embedded itself into daily usage through popular tools like ChatGPT. IBM Research defines generative AI as “deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on.” With its ability to answer homework problems and generate essays with the typing of a few words and the press of a button, generative AI presents an unmistakable allure for students pressed for time in today’s fast-paced world. 

One of the most immediate threats AI poses to academia — and the one most administrators and educators focus on — is its potential to compromise academic integrity. AI makes it easier than ever for students to obtain answers and complete assignments without genuinely engaging with the material. By providing ready-made responses to complex questions, these tools turn learning into a superficial exercise. If students rely on AI for instant answers rather than understanding the underlying concepts, we may see a generation emerge that lacks the critical thinking skills essential for innovation and problem-solving.

Why do we get an education? What makes learning worthwhile? At the heart of education lies the development of creativity and critical thinking. Writing essays, analyzing texts, and conducting research—activities that build analytical skills—could become exercises in copying and pasting AI-generated content. By using AI as a crutch, students may become less inclined to tackle complex problems that require unique human insight. 

There are other ethical implications to consider when using AI. According to The Verge, data centers that power AI models consume vast amounts of electricity, rivaling the usage of entire nations, and require extensive water resources for cooling. The demand for cooling contributes to water scarcity, especially as these centers draw from public water sources. 

AI is reshaping academia, for better or worse. The onus is on educational institutions, policymakers, and the tech industry to set ethical guidelines and implement responsible practices that protect the integrity of education. This means prioritizing AI’s role as a tool for supplementing learning—not replacing it—and fostering a balanced approach that emphasizes human creativity, critical thinking, and mentorship. AI must enhance, not detract from, the educational experience. We must steer its influence carefully to ensure that the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth remain the core tenets of academia, and are not hollowed out by a dependence on artificial intelligence.

https://research.ibm.com/blog/what-is-generative-AI

https://www.theverge.com/24066646/ai-electricity-energy-watts-generative-consumption