Young People Push Back Against Artificial Intelligence

A growing number of young people are pushing back against the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in their daily lives, citing concerns over its impact on learning, the environment, and society.

Elise Humphreys, a 19-year-old university student, says she feels trapped by AI, which she believes stifles independent thought. "It stops me from being able to use my brain independently," she said.

The AI Generation Gap

Ms Humphreys is part of a generation that has grown up with technology at their fingertips and is increasingly wary of its influence. Studies show that nearly 80 per cent of Australian students reported using generative AI while studying last year, a figure that jumps to 94 per cent in more recent international reports.

However, Ms Humphreys and her friends are not convinced that AI is a positive development. "I think all kids are feeling like this … we're scared, we don't want it to affect us long term, and we don't want to live in a world that's run by robots," she said.

"It feels like a cheat code to me. It feels like I'm not going to be as smart as the people who are currently in the field that I want to be in — because of AI," she added.

A Call to Slow Down

The concerns of young people like Ms Humphreys are being echoed in the wider community, with almost two-thirds of Australians believing that AI is moving too fast. The public's concerns are centered around the risks AI poses, which many believe outweigh its benefits.

Jenson Rainbird, a 16-year-old high school student, is one of those young people who is pushing back against AI. He has tried to cut it out of his life, but acknowledges that it is difficult to avoid entirely. "My [friendship] group vehemently hates AI — we do not like it one bit," he said.

Jenson wants to be a lawyer when he finishes school and university, but feels locked out of the discussion about AI by virtue of his age. "We're going to be dealing with the leftovers and downsides to what the politicians and others are doing [about AI regulation], and we don't get a say in it," he said.

Diverging Views

Not everyone shares the concerns of young people like Jenson and Elise. Jenson's father, Justin, has embraced AI, seeing it as an economic tool that can add value to his work. "If you don't get on board, you're going to fall behind," he said.

However, environmental concerns are also playing a role in the debate about AI. Ingrid Miedecke, a 17-year-old student, says she finds generative AI "disturbing and horrifying," citing its contribution to misogyny, ethical issues, and environmental degradation. "It ruins the environment," she said. "And we live in a drought-prone country already, so that's the major thing for me."

A Future Without AI?

The debate about AI is set to continue, with some calling for a slowdown in its development and deployment. Comedian Ronny Chieng has even called on young people to "destroy AI," although it is unclear whether this is a feasible or realistic goal.

For now, young people like Elise, Jenson, and Ingrid are pushing back against the increasing presence of AI in their lives, arguing that it is essential to preserve human thought and creativity. As one arts graduate, Jemma, put it, "The young people are not happy about this; they don't want it [AI]. It doesn't have any place in the arts."