The first video I saw that discussed navigating the complexity of AI was on PBS Newshour in 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjUQ1qRIWmU). It was an English teacher in New York who co-developed an AI tool called Project Toni for students to receive step by step feedback on their essays.

He knew students were probably going to encounter and use AI anyway, so instead of simply banning it, he tried to teach them how to use it thoughtfully. To me, this seemed like a pragmatic approach, for his line of work especially.

In my own work, one reason I’m interested in AI is the transformational aspect of language. Astrological interpretation, for example, involves bringing many different pieces of information together and explaining them in a way that helps someone see themselves from a new perspective. Language can be extraordinarily powerful. It can help us understand and recognize patterns in ourselves.

But I think one of the biggest dangers for AI users is using it automatically and without much thought. I certainly have been guilty of this.

We need to be conscious of the fact that every prompt requires the use of real resources, like electricity. Data centers can also use significant amounts of water. As users, we need to be deliberate and think critically about how we use this powerful tool.

AI is likely to remain part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, developers, businesses, and governments work towards ways to reduce growing environmental costs and address ethical problems around how some models have been trained. (Article on AI Worker Exploitation in Kenya – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-work-kenya-exploitation-60-minutes/)

Furthermore, I believe we should explore ways to decentralize AI use. More AI could run locally on personal computers instead of relying only on Big Tech server farms. This would give individuals and communities more independence and control. It could also help prevent too much power from being concentrated in a small number of corporations.

✨ Local AI / LLM Resources ✨
Ollama – https://ollama.com/
LM Studio – https://lmstudio.ai/
Jan AI – https://www.jan.ai/

Local AI still requires resources. But it gives us more voice and participation in the future of this technology.

AI is a powerful tool. When used mindfully, it can help people learn and understand themselves and others. It can give hope and meaning to people’s lives. I know it has for mine.

It is not a simple question of “is AI good or bad?”

It is how can we use AI consciously and responsibly to ensure it is worthy of the resources it consumes?