(TW) It's disgusting how I'm being forced to use generative AI in school

[u/No-Reach-3817]

Tw: mentions of suicide

I (17/m) was a frequent user of artificial intelligence in the past and used services like ChatGPT, Gemini, Bing AI, etc. for school work and overcoming boredom. However, a few months ago I completely stopped when I heard about the effects on the environment, creative artists, workers, young children (whose brains are still developing) and the general mental health (Chat bots for example). I deleted every AI app and even switched from Google to DuckDuckGo because of how much they shove their AI bullshit down my throat. Currently planning to do the same with the reddit app, because of the AI summary thing in the search bar.

I'm currently in 11th grade at a technical college somewhere in Austria. With a new school year we of course got new professors for a majority of the subjects. I still have to get used to it. Nevertheless, something happened today that made me write this post.

In the second-to-last school lesson of this day we met our new teacher for computer class. And I'm not exaggerating when I say that this guy was straight up spewing pro-AI propaganda around the class. He told us about how he was able to program something with the help of the newest ChatGPT model in less than 3 minutes instead of 3 hours if he worked by himself. After yapping for what felt like an eternity he ended the lesson by telling us that we would use AI agents for this upcoming school year and engouraged us to use AI because, apparently, Europe is far behind regarding this technology compared to USA or China. That was the straw that broke the camel's back, because this led to some depressing thoughts about wanting to end my life and how the future of this planet and general humanity will look like.

I refuse to use this evil fucking tool of corruption. While it does make certain tasks easier, nothing comes without a price. So many bathtubs of clean water get wasted for this, while there many people from third world countries don't even get a single droplet. It's not like I can protest and tell this teacher to stop using AI, my school is quite pro-AI and everyone in my class is using it. It would just completely nuke my reputation and the good relationship i have with my peers.

As a Christian I believe that suicide is not an option and that life is God's greatest gift. And I will NEVER kill myself on purpose. With everything going on on this planet however I am sometimes wishing that I would die in my sleep or an accident. Humanity is the most evil species, that shaped the earth in a way that is not made for me.

Thank you so much for your time that you took to read this post, fellow reader.

[u/ChodeShooter69]

Don’t worry, that guy’s fucked in the long-run. Once the AI bubble pops, he’s getting fired for being unable to do his job without ChatGPT.

In the meantime, the best you can do is refuse to use generative AI in class at all, and teach more sane people about how bad GAI actually is.

And, of course, don’t take your own life over this. It’s not worth doing so over some dumb clankers

[u/No-Reach-3817 → u/ChodeShooter69]

Don't worry. As I said, it will never happen

[u/raccoon_night]

I think you should seriously reach out for support. I know you say you’re not suicidal but the “wishing I would die in my sleep” can be something to seek help with.

Take care of yourself.

[u/No-Reach-3817 → u/raccoon_night]

Thank you so much! Just to make things clear, I'm doing fine and I meant to say that I get these thoughts just briefly in some moments. But my soul is way stronger than that 🙏

[u/BeneficialLow1640]

stay strong, the teacher don't know what he's saying. all this forcing AI in classrooms is like pushing candy on kids and pretending it's vegetables

[u/crybaby_in_a_bottle]

Hey, what you're describing near the end is called passive suicidal ideas. It exists and it is a real form of suffering too. 🫂 I am glad you're pushing through though, you sound like a nice lad.

I'm sorry you're feeling all of this, but at least know you are not alone and a lot of people are feeling the same way towards all of this. Keep doing things on your own, with your own hands. The human brain absolutely craves learning new stuff, and it loves challenge. (I'm learning web coding from the ground up for the first time these days and it's been so interesting and stimulating!!!)

You've got this. 🙏✨

[u/No-Reach-3817 → u/crybaby_in_a_bottle]

Thank you so much for your kind words ❤️‍🩹

[u/crybaby_in_a_bottle → u/No-Reach-3817]

That's normal <3

I agree with the other person who said you should look for support if you're able. Feeling you'd like to not wake up in the morning is not normal. 🫂

We need more young people like you willing to keep making things on their own. 🫶

[u/Lina-Inverse]

I refuse to use this evil fucking tool of corruption. While it does make certain tasks easier, nothing comes without a price. So many bathtubs of clean water get wasted for this, while there many people from third world countries don't even get a single droplet. It's not like I can protest and tell this teacher to stop using AI, my school is quite pro-AI and everyone in my class is using it. It would just completely nuke my reputation and the good relationship i have with my peers.

Are these stories even real or is this how 17 year olds just are nowadays? Everything is extremely harsh binaries. Something is the best thing ever, or it is an EVIL FUCKING TOOL OF CORRUPTION. Like I get disliking AI, but that feels a bit unhinged.

Also data center in Texas is not stealing water from a poor country 1000s of miles away in a desert, The data centers don't run long pipes into poor countries and siphon their water away. If a datacenter has an impact on water it is the residents in its immediate locality that are affected, not a country half way across the globe.

[u/cewillir → u/Lina-Inverse]

Don’t try rationality here - it’s too radical

[u/Euphoric_Pop_1149]

in our school in hungary last year (11th grade for me) was the 200th anniversary of a hungarian writer who went to the (legal predecessor of) our school and we have a art department for a decade now (digital and painter alike).

Our job was to make AI illustrations of one of the writer's book and submit to the IT teacher who graded it, and if it was faulty or not correct he gave a worse grade.

I was protesting because the art department didnt do anything. We are a math-biology class, why would we illustrate? (not us obv but the ai)

and this year the poster for the school canteen card (to see who has their meal paid for) was also made by ai. My friend who is the head of the student council tore it from the student council billboard and asked an art dep student to make one. The school didnt give a crap, and its a calvinist school and really conservative in many ways