It’s hard to walk into the WHS counseling office without noticing the AI portraits of the counselors on the wall. While they weren’t created with ill-intent, the process to create these pictures requires extreme usage of energy and water that hurts small communities. Additionally, AI-generated photos contribute to a negative culture surrounding the arts, which feels especially prevalent in our school.
Last school year, the school completed its new graphics wing, with multiple classes focused on design, illustration, and the arts. This wing also comes with increased artistic capability and capacity. With the school perpetuating AI-generated illustrations that are modeled on copyrighted material, it devalues the importance of this field. The arts are crucial both culturally and economically; but AI continues to push it aside in return for a less creative, expressive, valuable, and environmentally friendly alternative.
It is proven that Data Centers do not generate enough jobs to be economically worthwhile. They require large construction crews to create them, but relatively few employees to maintain them.
Research from Cornell shows that, by 2030, AI will put 24 to 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.
Research from The Worlds Resources Institute shows that mid-sized data centers can use up to 300,000 gallons of water daily.
Research from The International Energy Association explains that AI data centers use as much power as 100,000 single-family homes, decrease property value, and increase energy costs.
