NILES, Mich. (WNDU) – A Niles High School freshman is challenging students to use artificial intelligence in positive ways.
Samuel Lundberg started the “AI for Good” challenge, asking students to submit projects that use AI in a positive way.
“Well, I saw people already using AI for bad, good, and somewhere in between. And I decided, well, why don’t we use it to make something positive or a positive impact using society or in society?” Lundberg said.
Lundberg said he has already heard from students across southwest Michigan with ideas ranging from education to health and fitness.
“Things that have stood out to me were first one of my friends, Andrew, who signed up for the project. He’s making a study tool. A couple of my friends from Berrien Springs they’re also signing up. They are using it to make workout plans,” Lundberg said.
The Niles High School student council is sponsoring the challenge.
Dustin Cornelius, a Niles High School student council advisor, said the challenge brings awareness to AI’s potential.
“It just brings awareness to the idea that it can be used in a good way. And that you can use it to benefit, not just yourself, but other people and benefit the community,” Cornelius said.
Audrey Kuehn, Niles High School student council president, said she hopes the challenge can inspire students.
“I’m hoping it can show them what else is out there, that it can be used for good, and we can just get away from that negative connotation that it’s only used for cheating, or it’s only used for bad things, and hopefully inspire kids to use it in the right way,” Kuehn said.
According to a recent poll from Reuters, more than 70% of Americans worry about AI replacing human jobs.
Kuehn said challenges like this can help students learn how to use AI responsibly, without replacing human effort.
“You can use AI for good. And you can use it in a positive way. And if you show that, yes, you can use it to start your idea and help build your idea. But the human is the actual one doing the work. I think it’s great to see that now so that you can continue to build on that in your future,” Kuehn said.
Lundberg said he is encouraging people to use AI to help them instead of hurt them in the future.
“Yes, I believe it would,” Lundberg said when asked if the challenge would change minds of people using AI in negative ways.
The deadline for the challenge is May 1. Lundberg said he is excited to see the creative ideas other students across the area come up with.
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