The digital landscape is rapidly changing, and not necessarily for the better. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is making content creation easier than ever, but at what cost? Concerns are growing that the internet is becoming saturated with low-quality, AI-generated content, often referred to as “slop.” This trend raises critical questions about the future of online facts, education, and even human creativity.

The allure of AI is undeniable. It promises efficiency and convenience, notably in writing. As one observer notes, generative AI is “always ready and eager to take over writing essays, emails, newsletters, reports, and everything else.” But this ease comes with a potential downside: a decline in critical thinking and skill development.

The Rise of “Slop”

The term “slop” refers to the increasing amount of low-quality content-writing, images, and other digital junk-generated by AI. This phenomenon is not just a nuisance; it threatens the integrity of the internet itself. According to a report from the Europol Innovation Lab, projections indicate that up to 90 percent of online content could be AI-generated by 2026.

This raises a fundamental concern: AI models are trained on vast datasets from the internet. If the internet is increasingly filled with “slop,” future AI models will learn from and perpetuate this low-quality content,creating a vicious cycle.

Impact on Education and Youth

One of the most pressing concerns is the impact of AI on education. The temptation for students to use AI to complete assignments is notable, especially with readily available tools and widespread access to technology in schools.

A recent report,Teen and Young Adult Perspectives on Generative AI, reveals that already half (51 percent) of young people ages 14-22 have used generative AI. This number is expected to grow as AI becomes more integrated into search engines and online platforms.

The concern is that relying on AI to bypass challenging tasks, such as writing essays, can hinder the development of essential life skills. These skills include resilience, self-reliance, and confidence, which psychologists collectively refer to as self-efficacy-the belief in one’s ability to succeed.

Decades of research,beginning with psychologist Albert Bandura’s foundational work,”Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change,” shows that self-efficacy is directly tied to motivation learning, and achievement.
Albert Bandura

When students overcome challenges, they build self-efficacy, a crucial social-emotional skill recognized by CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional learning). This skill is vital for future success in various endeavors.

responsible Use of AI: A Path Forward

AI is here to stay, and it is indeed essential to teach children how to use it wisely. The key is to guide them in using AI tools in ways that enhance, rather than impede, their development of self-efficacy.

Here are some suggestions for parents and educators:

• Start with Original Work: Encourage children to write somthing themselves before using AI for editing or suggestions.
• brainstorming Aid: Use AI to generate ideas or suggestions when struggling to start a writing project.
• Planning Tool: Utilize AI to create to-do lists or outlines for large projects.
• Prompt Practice: Develop clear and detailed prompts to guide AI effectively,fostering active engagement rather than passive reliance.

The Value of Human Authenticity

In the long run, prioritizing human-generated content will benefit everyone. There is a growing thankfulness for the unique qualities that come from human effort-the slightly awkward phrasing, the quirky personal stories, and even the occasional grammatical error. These are the hallmarks of authentic human expression that AI cannot replicate.

The goal is to foster a world where individuals are encouraged to develop their own abilities, whether it’s through writing, creative endeavors, or any personal passion that offers opportunities for both struggle and accomplishment.This is what makes us human.