Artificial Intelligence is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, and problem-solving, according to the International Business Machine Corporation. As AI evolves, it is now something that is normally used while in college, mainly for studying and homework assistance. Studies show that 92% of college students utilize it as a study tool for coursework, according to a survey conducted by The Higher Education Policy Institute. When it comes to media, AI has also evolved in ways that make it hard to tell if a video is real or fake because of how its accuracy is constantly improving. The Union sent reporters out on Wednesday, Feb 25, where they asked different students on campus their viewpoint on AI.

Nathan Lim, 21, art major

“It can help me take a shortcut, but sometimes you have to learn. People are constantly talking to it, thinking it’s a real person. It cuts off a lot of things that people need to learn about. If you don’t try it and fail, you don’t really learn anything at all. AI is giving you the answers you’re not learning in that process.”

Sabrina Moore, 28, computer science program student

“I am definitely very worried about job retention… because AI is an economic reason for companies, there’s no incentive for them trying to make sure there’s an alternative for people who won’t be able to get unemployment. If they really do optimize AI and actually get good enough to replace people’s jobs, which they will try to do, what about the rest of us? There is no economic incentive for creating universal basic income that is also livable.”

Aryion Archie, 24, sociology major

“I shy away from AI as much as I can… I don’t want to have to rely on technology for everything, I want to still be able to use my mind and skills.”

Carrie Lockwood, art gallery associate

“I personally don’t like the idea of AI doing creative work… that’s personal. It is controversial, especially for the arts, because it’s supposed to be a personal, creative statement. The question would be how creative is it if it’s artificially generated? But these are my personal opinions.”

Jennifer Jones, 45, digital media major

“I’m not a fan… some AI can actually be useful. But the things that are basically like the ones that are like ‘well, we copied an entire artist’s work, and we can then copy that style and create your own version of it.’ Appreciate the original artist, you don’t need to have your own version of yourself generated from that style. I’m not into trying to act like AI is as good as a person or can copy an art or style or create a voice of someone for AI.”

Gavriel Olshwang, 19, PASS Mentor, cognitive science Major

“In AI research, I know of two different phenomena when you use AI. One is called upscaling, and the other is called downscaling. Downscaling is what’s being encouraged right now, which is where the AI is at a level that’s way above you. So, for a topic, you wouldn’t be able to check the AI and be like, oh, this is wrong, because you don’t know how to say that it’s wrong, and you don’t even know if the information it’s giving you is correct or not. Upscaling is when you and AI are on the same level. So you can check each other and kind of use it like a tutor.”

Erick Mariscales, 20, prep cook

“I feel like AI will go down as the companies are losing money to push it out. There are some jobs that can be replicated by humans and some jobs that can’t. It is simply forced upon me whenever I look something up.”

Christian Moreno, 26, EMT student

“So much AI pages, creations, and even AI bot interactions. Knowingly interacting with AI bots, I couldn’t give you an exact number per se, but like 5 to 10 percent are AI related. Unknowingly, could be the same or maybe a little more. Depending on the quality of it because as time goes, it’s only gotten more harder to tell. Comments, posts, videos, all that.”

Jacob Negron, business major, 18

“I don’t think so, I feel a human has a right touch that a computer can never copy because there’s a lot of feeling that goes into it that can’t be replicated.”

Katherine Kallenback, 21, chemistry major

“I have [used AI] before, but as of recently, no. I try to avoid it, but my dad uses it often, though. I think it’s gotten pretty bad because sometimes there’s like videos that pop up that look really realistic. Then someone points out it’s AI and then I have to take a second look. It’s really bad! I think it can be dangerous. That’s my official statement.”

James Brown, 40, Lobbyist

“I think it’s going to change how the world operates and works. I do believe that it’s going to be needed in the future. Like you’re going to need some type of skills in the future for it. The only reason I’m not skilled in it is because I’m old. I’m still in my old ways. No, I do believe that AI is going to take off. Well, it has already taken off.”

Diocelina Ordonez, Maya Ochoa and Natalie Henry contributed to this viewpoint.