I am sure that the term “A.I” has wriggled into almost everyone’s brain at this point, hasn’t it? Artificial Intelligence refers to machines or software mimicking human cognitive functions—such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving—to execute complex tasks and make independent decisions. At first glance, it might seem like an advantage to most people, but once you dig deeper, only now do we realize how it will affect us in the future. As of the early part of 2026, artificial intelligence has transitioned from being a new experiment to a new foundation of global infrastructure. Yet this swift integration has also brought about a “year of AI reckoning” as the unbridled use of these technologies continues to pose an increasing threat to human autonomy, economic stability, and the environment. Some people excuse all of the drawbacks in favor of it being “efficient” and “automatic.” But does efficiency really matter when human originality barely exists anymore? There have been many instances where human creativity has diminished, in the music, art and academics industry, but not only in terms of human creativity but in real–world practicality as well, such as our Environment and Economic disruption, take our environment as an example—we take pride in showing off posters that present “Save the Earth!” designed on them, which were a result of generative A.I, but do they not know that most of the water usage in AI goes to cool down data centers, produce electricity, and manufacture hardware? That our winters are warmer because someone needed an essay written on their favorite animal? And not to mention how AI is eliminating entry-level cognitive jobs rather than merely taking the place of manual labor. As of 2026, recruitment for administrative roles had decreased by an estimated 35%, increasing the gap between a displaced workforce and a technical elite.
And people who use generative A.I to produce art, those are people who wish to make art, but do not feel it. As a child, making drawings—be it meaningless scribbles or full-fledged paintings, it always brought me immense joy, and it showed soulfulness. To know that A.I can replace myself, make better figures—better color schemes than me, would all those years fall in vain? No, because no matter how perfect a circle can be made by A. I or copy off an uncredited artist’s work, its “art” will remain unsoulful as ever, but at the end of the day, the excuse “But I don’t know how to!” is pure excuse, all you need is your time, determination and a pencil. Beethoven was deaf but yet produced symphonies. In the end, AI has turned into a “propaganda engine” in today’s information environment. The public can hardly tell fact from fiction due to the proliferation of extremely convincing deepfakes and misinformation produced by AI. In order to preserve our humanity, we must protect the spaces where only a human mind can wander and only a human heart can understand. (And to say this was A.I generated would be like a classic hypocrisy of my own work.) I yield the floor.
Anushe Fatima, 8-A