About three years after the release of ChatGPT, the world has had time to experience the excitement and potential of popular AI models. At first, many people treated them as a novelty—using them to create poems, stories, and assist with brainstorming. Today, however, AI is rapidly becoming an essential workplace tool, one that managers and executives are eager to leverage in order to increase productivity and achieve business goals.

Alongside this excitement, serious concerns have emerged. Beyond the obvious risks of harmful or inappropriate content, there are deeper and more lasting effects. When an expert in nearly every subject is constantly available, people may lose the ability to think independently and to grow through the process of overcoming challenges. There is also growing concern that real human expertise—built through experience, judgment, and intuition—will gradually weaken or be replaced. Over time, this could lead to fewer skilled professionals and less respect for genuine knowledge. For these reasons, there is a strong argument that individuals should limit their reliance on AI, and where possible, avoid it altogether except when truly necessary.

At the same time, platforms such as Google now prioritize AI-generated summaries in search results. Even when sources are cited, most users do not verify or fully understand them; instead, they rely on chatbots to interpret complex information. While this may seem harmless for simple tasks, the risks are far greater when people depend on AI for medical advice, business decisions, mental health guidance, and other important life choices.

The long-term consequences of widespread AI use remain uncertain, and new risks will likely continue to emerge. It is therefore important to stay aware and act cautiously. For children in particular, there is a strong case for preventing reliance on AI for communication, decision-making, and entertainment during their formative years, rather than merely limiting exposure. All users, too, would be wise to be intentional, restrained, and selective in their own use.