Artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prevalent in recent years and Jackson-Reed students appear to be getting caught using it daily. As a result, we believe this has fostered a need to understand how AI can be used ethically and what the best use of the tool is.
These questions have been exacerbated by recent events in the news, including but not limited to President Trump’s recent partnership with the large-scale corporation OpenAI.
Specifically, the President of OpenAI, Greg Brockman, has provided $25 million to sponsor Trump’s various MAGA programs and corporations.
This includes their support towards US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) infrastructure, which has alarmed the public and sparked the nationwide “QuitGPT” campaign, which is advocating for people to boycott ChatGPT. So far, 1.5 million users have already left the AI service.
Boycotts are often an easy way to fight against regimes or programs you don’t agree with. So, the “QuitGPT” campaign is a great way to protest the US government and president right now, especially since there are so many other, and more ethical, alternatives to ChatGPT.
This has led to broader arguments regarding larger scale tech industries and their ties with government institutions. It can be quite easy to forget that the many tools which modern technology has granted us access to do, in fact, sponsor organizations and aren’t as neutral as they may appear at the surface level.
As represented by the JR student body’s mass involvement in the anti-ICE protest on February 27, there is a clear distinction within our student body of the beliefs we have and the corporations we support.
Despite being teenagers, we are one of the first generations learning to live with the realities of artificial intelligence, and we have an inherent responsibility – to ourselves and future generations – based upon this involvement..
By understanding the implications of exactly what we are sponsoring, and actively searching for caring companies, we can use a helpful tool while at the same time supporting a company that does not direct its profit towards harmful causes.
While the frequently used OpenAI platform poses several harmful impacts upon society, there are certain AI platforms that are more ethical than others and can be used in moderation.
One powerful form of AI, not just in its quality but also in its positive environmental impacts, is EcoGPT which actually uses 100% renewable energy and additionally plants a tree per AI conversation.
EcoGPT works to reduce its digital carbon footprint and actively informs you of its purpose, unlike OpenAI. This agency acts as a method of advocacy against harmful forms of AI, combatting the sheer amount of resources wasted by other platforms, and has even been dubbed as the world’s first “regenerative AI.”
VYRO AI is yet another climate friendly ChatGPT alternative, where every message powers clean energy.
Forbes recommends Anthropics Claude for ChatGPT boycotters, which has reportedly resisted allowing its product to be used by US Defense officials for mass surveillance of autonomous weapons systems, instead of giving in to the government as ChatGPT had.
Claude is much more transparent about what it is sponsoring than OpenAI, and is trained by a set of ethical principles dubbed the “constitution” to make AI more responsible and honest.
As future technology continues to progress, and corrupted businesses are continuing to make their way to the top, it is essential to do a deep dive into the indirect and direct impacts the things you support have on the world and the people around you. •
