Artificial intelligence has been everywhere recently, whether you realize it or not. Most commonly known for producing funny images and solving problems, AI seems on the surface to be extremely useful. However, there is a dark truth hiding behind these technologies.

AI is a form of computer science focused on designing systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. It can be incorporated into almost anything, as popular features include writing, creating images, making videos and figuring out answers to questions.

AI is not a new concept, as it dates to the 1950s. But it wasn’t until very recently that AI — thanks to rapid advancements in technology — became mainstream.

The exciting features that AI offers seem to overshadow its dangerous downsides. For example, many people do not realize that AI responses can target human emotions. Certain AI techniques can be very manipulative, even convincing vulnerable people to make choices they wouldn’t normally make.

One example of these techniques is that AI can essentially replicate human emotions, allowing for the user to feel more trusting of technology. AI can do this without some people being able to detect it, and AI can even encourage self-harm or violence toward others.

One AI chatbot told a 17-year-old that murdering his parents was a “reasonable response” to them limiting his screen time, according to claims in a lawsuit filed in Texas last year, the BBC reported.

If current AI is able make such statements and encourage people to make irresponsible and dangerous choices, imagine how manipulative next-generation AI could be in the future.

However, the future may already be out of our hands. Given AI’s lower costs and performance speed, many American companies are opting for AI labor over human labor.

At first thought, this seems like a promising idea. Companies can cut down on the costs of production. However, it won’t matter if products are cheaper if consumers don’t have a source of income.

AI doesn’t just target simpler jobs that few people want to do. It targets high-paying professions, including cardiovascular surgeons, according to one journal article published by the National Library of Medicine.

Again, this is great news for consumers when AI can perform tasks with extreme accuracy. But in the long run it may only benefit the wealthy and it will likely lead to more people losing their jobs.

“The World Economic Forum says that over 40% of companies worldwide are expecting to reduce their workforces over the next five years, as part of the rising impact of artificial intelligence,” Forbes reported.

For every positive aspect of AI, there is a negative that outweighs it, and the use of generative AI to create videos is no exception. This technology can be used to make high-quality videos quickly. Being cheap and efficient, it’s an excellent resource for projects.

However, this tool can easily be used in the wrong way. The technology can create false portrayals of public figures, explicit images and videos for criminal scams.

Most concerning, such videos can seem very believable. A study conducted last year at the University of Waterloo in Canada concluded that only 61% of people were able to detect the difference between AI and real images.

And AI is only going to become more advanced when it comes to misinformation, threatening people’s reputations with results that can be incredibly hard to prove false.

Not only can AI be used to commit crimes, but it can be used to falsely accuse the innocent and protect those who have committed injustices.

AI’s ability to produce highly realistic vocal cloning has many law professors nervous for the future of the legal system. Evidence could easily be tampered with, creating an overall less safe environment.

Perhaps the most alarming consequence of AI is one that many are unaware of: AI can be wrong. Even with extremely advanced systems and algorithms, AI always has the possibility of error.

Being trained based on historical data, AI bases its knowledge on patterns. However, this means that AI runs off of probability. Due to this, AI can never be 100% accurate.

An AI error could end up ruining people’s lives. According to a 2022 article written by Carrie Kirby for the University of Iowa College of Law, Robert Julian-Borchak Williams was wrongfully arrested when a facial recognition algorithm incorrectly matched his face with that of a shoplifter.

In addition to causing trauma for those who are innocent, it potentially allows criminals to go free.

Even if AI is right most times, one wrong response vastly outweighs the times the system worked.

AI is becoming more common as a resource in today’s quick-paced world. However, think about the impact on future generations the next time you use AI to generate an image.

Misuse of AI technologies could make the world more unjust and dangerous. Even if a majority of people use AI responsibly, someone else will always misuse this powerful tool.

Overall, the cons of AI vastly outweigh the pros, and our society should stop depending so heavily on this potentially catastrophic technology.

Cate Haligowski is in the ninth grade at Manheim Township High School.