Throughout history, every new technology has faced skepticism and even fear. When steam locomotives first roared into society, many believed that traveling at such speeds could make one’s brain explode. As absurd as it may sound now, this fear reflected a common response to innovation—a tendency to resist what we don’t fully understand. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) faces similar anxieties. Yet, like the train, the printing press, and electricity before it, AI holds vast potential to transform our lives for the better. Rather than fearing its impact, it’s time we embrace AI as a powerful tool for growth, efficiency, and sustainable progress.
It's fascinating how the media, and sometimes even our own social circles, seem eager to tell us what we should feel guilty about. The list started with flights, then expanded to other conveniences, and now it includes artificial intelligence (AI). We’re encouraged to question if it’s really ethical, environmentally friendly, or even morally right to rely on such technologies. But have we truly thought about why we’re being pushed to feel this way? For me, it’s a strange mindset to see AI usage as something "wrong."
When people criticize me for using AI like ChatGPT, I often turn the conversation back to them. "How did you get to work this morning?" I ask. The answer is almost always something like "by car" or "by bus." Then, I can’t help but follow up with, "But why didn’t you walk?"
This question captures the essence of what AI actually does for us: it saves time, streamlines tasks, and simplifies life. Just as cars or buses have become practical tools to take us further and faster than we could walk, AI is a tool to expand our cognitive abilities, understanding, and even creativity. AI isn’t just a productivity tool; it’s an energy saver. And in a time where every bit of energy saved counts, isn’t it smarter to work faster and lighter with AI than to work harder and slower?
AI’s Impact on Efficiency and Energy Savings
AI is more than just a tool for speeding up tasks. It’s also a way to save on energy—both personal and electrical. Using AI reduces the time we spend on repetitive tasks, which in turn means less time spent with computers or other devices running at high capacity. Every second saved on a task is a second of power saved as well.
Consider how much power is consumed by performing multiple searches, or going back and forth to compile information manually. AI consolidates this process by delivering efficient and accurate results in a fraction of the time, cutting down the cumulative energy cost of traditional methods. This means that in professional environments, where hundreds or even thousands of people use AI daily, the overall energy savings can be significant.
A Look Back: Fear of New Technology Isn’t New
It’s worth remembering that every groundbreaking technology faced skepticism in its time. When the steam locomotive was introduced, some people genuinely feared that traveling at such high speeds could cause the brain to explode! Such fears, while understandable, have always proven unfounded as society adapts and grows with new innovations. In the same way that early fears about trains turned out to be misplaced, so too are many of the anxieties surrounding AI today.
Each advancement throughout history—whether the printing press, electricity, or automobiles—has met resistance and skepticism. But these technologies ultimately became integral to our lives. AI is no different. Instead of fearing its impact, we should view it as a powerful tool that, like the train, has the potential to transform our lives for the better.
The True Role of AI in Our Lives
In reality, AI is just another tool, much like any other technological advancement, but somehow we need reminding of this. Working with AI doesn’t mean we’re replacing our own thoughts or creativity with something artificial. On the contrary, it’s a new layer that opens up possibilities for exploring ideas, performing tasks faster, and learning more about ourselves in the process.
Imagine how much time and energy professionals save by streamlining repetitive tasks. Doctors can analyze medical data faster, engineers can test concepts more quickly, and researchers can process enormous amounts of information in seconds. Even for those of us in everyday scenarios, AI tools have already started to make the workday smoother. With AI handling time-consuming tasks, we can focus our energy on more meaningful projects and creativity-driven work. It’s a practical evolution, not a shortcut, and it saves us precious time and resources.
Shame Culture and the Quest for "Authenticity"
Why, then, is there a stigma around using AI? Part of the answer might lie in our search for "authenticity." There's a certain allure in longing for simpler times, perhaps without smartphones, without social media, or with a slower, manual pace of life. We envy people who seem to live a "natural" lifestyle, free from digital dependence.
But let’s be realistic: for most of us, reverting to this kind of lifestyle isn’t an option. We live in an interconnected, digital world. Our reliance on technology is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity. The romanticism surrounding authenticity can overshadow the fact that technological advancements like AI help us achieve more, live better, and reduce the demands on both our mental energy and our planet’s resources.
Isn’t it a bit contradictory to celebrate "authenticity" when most of the advancements that allow for this type of lifestyle—clean energy, remote work, efficient urban transportation—are all products of advanced technology and scientific progress? Just as we once accepted that public transit, electrical appliances, and computers are here to stay, we should see AI as part of a natural evolution toward more efficient, sustainable living.
Redefining the Conversation Around AI
AI can empower us if we allow it to. It’s up to us to redefine the narrative, seeing it as a tool for good rather than a source of shame. In fact, many criticisms against AI come from those who perhaps don’t fully understand its capacity to help us innovate and create. AI allows businesses to operate more efficiently, provides access to information at lightning speed, and supports critical sectors like healthcare and environmental science. Why would we choose to hold back this kind of progress?
Imagine if we applied the same critique to other essential tools. We wouldn’t question why someone is using a washing machine instead of washing clothes by hand, or why someone takes an elevator instead of the stairs in a skyscraper. These technologies, once novel, have since become essential for comfort, efficiency, and even safety. AI falls into this same category. The potential it unlocks is too great to dismiss for the sake of an ill-defined concept of authenticity.
The Environmental Case for AI
Another crucial aspect of AI is its environmental impact. Reducing the time we spend on energy-draining tasks directly translates to lower power usage. Every minute a computer can go idle because AI finished a task faster is a minute less of electricity consumption. In large-scale scenarios, like data centers or corporate offices, these minutes add up quickly to significant savings in power.
Moreover, AI can contribute directly to energy optimization. Algorithms in AI-powered systems can analyze energy usage patterns, predict peak demand, and adjust power consumption accordingly, ensuring that energy is used more efficiently. This is especially valuable in data centers, which are known for their high energy demands. By optimizing these operations, AI can help make these systems greener and less of a burden on our power grids.
The irony is that, while AI often receives criticism for its perceived impact on the environment, it can actually be part of the solution. By leveraging AI in everything from smart grids to environmental monitoring, we can reduce our carbon footprint and move towards a more sustainable future.
Conclusion – Using AI is a Choice, Not a Shortcut
Ultimately, using AI is about making choices that reflect our values and goals. We can choose to use it or not, but shame should not play a role in those decisions. Saying "why are you using AI?" is akin to saying "why are you using a car?" Both are tools we use to optimize our lives, to make them more efficient, manageable, and ultimately, enjoyable. And just like with any other tool, it’s not about the technology itself but how we choose to use it.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that AI will be an integral part of how we live, work, and connect. Embracing this shift with an open mind, we can unlock the potential for growth, creativity, and sustainability. And when people ask me why I use AI, I’ll simply say, "Because it helps me get there faster—and with less of an impact."
By Chris...
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