Yes, I’m talking about your restaurant flyer
It’s 2026, and AI, or more accurately, predictive algorithm models, are everywhere. In ads, in your Snapchat DMs and plastered all over the school on the Spirit Week posters. Everyone seems to believe AI is a tool for people who can’t afford something better or don’t have the time. But the world kept spinning even before AI.
The number-one argument I see in favor of using clankers for work is that small businesses and schools can’t afford real art. So, obviously, before AI, small businesses didn’t exist, and schools didn’t promote anything, right? Of course not. I may sound old here, but historically, when we needed a free, quick poster made, schools either had students design handmade posters, used free online tools or even just smashed together stock photos. There was never a need for algorithms that steal existing human artists’ hard work to puke out cheap imitations.
Imagine you painted a picture you were proud of, but then a robot came into the room, tore a chunk off, and slapped it on a canvas with other stolen painting pieces, only for the robot’s owner to claim it’s their painting. That’s what is being done anytime someone uses AI-generated imagery.
As for the impact of AI in the classroom. My fellow students, and audience members, you may think ChatGPT can do all your assignments for you. And you may be right. But what will you do when the servers have an outage? What will you do when you can’t access your free essay dispenser? Can you write an essay yourself? Do you know how to structure it? Using AI may get you a passing grade, but it certainly isn’t making you smarter. According to a recent MIT study, when given access to AI for writing an essay, “this convenience [of finding answers] came at a cognitive cost, diminishing users’ inclination to critically evaluate the LLM’s output.” In other words, using predictive text models reduced the subjects’ ability to think. So, not only is AI usage inherently lazy and a form of plagiarism, but it also makes you dumber.
For the few of you who want to learn, my advice is to stay well away from AI. And, if you’re interested, the full MIT study is linked below.
