By La'Novia Richardson Buchanan, Clarion Staff reporter
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool with both benefits and drawbacks. It can significantly help people in various ways, but it can also pose risks if not used responsibly. Let's explore how AI can be helpful and how it can be harmful.

How is AI Helpful?
AI can be a great resource for many people, including high school students and the elderly. For students, AI can assist with homework by providing explanations and resources to help develop problem-solving skills.
For example, if a student struggles with a math problem like f(x) + 3x + 54 = Q, they can input it into an AI program. Rather than just giving the answer, AI can guide them through the steps to solve the problem, enhancing their understanding rather than simply providing a shortcut.
Moreover, for older adults, AI can simplify daily tasks: It can help organize their schedules, create grocery lists, and set reminders for taking medications. In healthcare, AI proves invaluable by monitoring patients’ conditions and helping doctors make quicker and more accurate diagnoses. With advancements in robotic surgery, AI can also aid in performing delicate procedures, pushing the boundaries of modern medicine.

AI offers many resources beyond what the human eye can see. AI can also help older people. It can make coordination plans, make a grocery list, make reminders, and can even remind the elderly to take their medicine. AI even can help the hospitals it can help detect pains and monitor them. Doctors can even use AI to go further in medicine. Since most things in surgery are becoming non- touch and they’re using robots they can use ai to further the future of medicine with ai.
How is AI harmful?
How can AI be harmful to all of us? AI can be harmful because kids can use it to cheat on a test and if they get a perfect score they’ll never know what they’re doing.
Despite its advantages, AI also has potential downsides. One significant concern is that students might use it to cheat. If a college nursing student relies on AI to pass tests on critical skills like cutting and measuring, they may not learn the necessary knowledge and techniques. In a real-life situation, such as caring for a patient, this lack of preparation could have serious consequences.

Another issue is the growing dependency on AI. Relying too much on technology may weaken people's problem-solving skills and reduce their ability to think independently. Additionally, AI can be misused to create deep fakes, where someone’s voice or image is manipulated for malicious purposes, such as fraud or spreading misinformation.
In conclusion, AI can be both helpful and harmful. It has the potential to enhance learning, improve daily living for the elderly, and transform the healthcare industry. However, it also raises concerns about cheating, over-dependence, and misuse. The key is to find a balance where we can maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its risks. With responsible use and proper guidelines, AI can be a valuable tool for everyone.

Works Cited:
"Threats by artificial intelligence to human health and human existence" (BMJ Global Month, via National Library of Medicine)
"Ways AI Can Improve Our World" (Rowan University 2024 Archives)
"What is artificial intelligence and how is it used?" (European Parliament)
"What are the risks of artificial intelligence (AI)?" (Tableau/Salesforce)
"Scary AI: 13 Frightening AI Facts You Need to Know" (Nancy Burgess Strategic Marketing)
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