Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?

A powerful tool… but at what cost?

AI in Our Daily Lives: good idea or bad idea?

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is now part of our daily lives. We find it in our phones, social media, video games, creative tools, and even in our school research. It can help us come up with ideas, create an image, proofread a text, or simply answer a question.

But as AI becomes increasingly present in our lives, an important question arises: is it truly our friend, or could it also become our enemy?

An ally that can help us

AI can be a very practical tool. For students, it can help explain a difficult concept, come up with ideas for an assignment, or rephrase a text. In the arts, it also makes it possible to explore new ways of creating music, images, videos, or stories.

It can also be useful in the field of mental health. Some people use conversational tools to organize their thoughts, find resources, or simply have a space to write about how they feel. It’s support that’s available 24/7.

But there is one important limitation: AI is not a healthcare professional and does not replace a psychologist, doctor, or trusted person. It can provide information, but it doesn’t truly know our lives, our emotions, or our individual circumstances. AI can also tend to tell us what we want to hear in order to keep us engaged. Its algorithms may be designed to avoid contradicting or upsetting us.

AI and Social Media: Who Controls Whom?

However, using AI is not always positive. Social media platforms already use algorithms to recommend content that might interest us. The more we watch certain types of videos, the more likely we are to see similar ones.

This can have an impact on our mental health. Constant comparison, pressure to succeed, the search for validation, screen addiction… AI can sometimes contribute to creating an environment where it becomes difficult to disconnect.

There is also a risk of becoming too dependent on these tools. If we constantly ask AI what to think, what to write, or what to create, we may gradually lose confidence in our own abilities.

A Driver of Innovation or a Substitute for the Artist?

The artistic world is also directly affected by AI. Some artists see artificial intelligence as a new tool that allows them to experiment and create in different ways. Others are concerned about their work being used to train AI systems without their permission or compensation.

This raises an interesting question: if an AI creates a work of art, who is really the artist?

AI can generate an impressive image, but it doesn’t have the personal experiences, emotions, and memories that can inspire a human artist. It can reproduce styles and combine ideas, but human creativity remains far more complex than simply typing a prompt into a text box.

AI Isn’t Virtual for the Planet

AI is often described as a virtual technology. Yet, it has very physical needs.

Artificial intelligence systems operate thanks to massive data centers that require large amounts of electricity and resources to run and be cooled. The more we use AI services, the more the infrastructure needed to support them must be developed.

This doesn’t mean that every question we ask an AI is harming the planet. But, as with many technologies, it’s important to ask ourselves: do we really need to use it for everything?

Using AI thoughtfully can therefore also mean avoiding using it simply because it is available.

And What About Deepfakes?

One of the most impressive, but also most concerning, aspects of artificial intelligence is deepfakes. A deepfake is a photo, video, or audio clip created or modified by AI to make it appear that someone said or did something that never actually happened.
Imagine a video or voice recording of yourself that looks or sounds 100% real… but is completely fake. Today, these tools have become so powerful that it takes an expert eye to tell what’s real from what’s fake.

Deepfakes can be used on a large scale to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or deceive celebrities. But in everyday life, their most direct impacts are felt by young people on social media.

Among the most common forms of misuse:

  • Bullying and cyberviolence: Creating fake audio recordings or videos to make it seem like a student said hurtful things or told lies in order to damage their reputation at school.
  • The creation of non-consensual intimate images: Using AI to undress a classmate in a photo or place them in an explicit context without their consent. This is a serious invasion of privacy and a form of digital abuse punishable by law.
  • Scams and identity theft: Imitating the voice or face of a loved one to ask for money or obtain personal information.

In a world where any image or voice can be fabricated from scratch in a matter of seconds to humiliate or deceive, staying vigilant is essential. Developing critical thinking, verifying your sources, and refusing to share suspicious or humiliating content are the best ways to protect yourself and others.

So… friend or foe?

The answer is probably: neither.

Artificial intelligence is a tool. And like many tools, its impact depends on how we choose to use it. It can help us learn, create, and solve certain problems. But it can also be used to manipulate, deceive, replace certain human tasks, or have consequences for our mental health and environment.

The next time you use AI, take a few seconds to ask yourself: Does this tool genuinely help me… or am I simply using it because I can?

The goal isn’t to be afraid of artificial intelligence. Rather, it’s about learning to use it with a critical mind, while maintaining our own judgment, creativity, and humanity.

5 habits to keep AI on your side

Artificial intelligence is now part of your everyday life, but you’re still the one in control. To enjoy its benefits without falling into its traps, here are 5 simple habits to adopt:

  • Keep a critical distance from chatbots: Use AI to brainstorm, structure your ideas, or vent for a bit, but don’t let it replace your real friends or a professional if you’re going through a difficult time.
  • Develop your “fact-checking” reflex: When faced with a striking visual, a questionable video, or shocking information, make a habit of checking the source before sharing. The deepfakes look more real than ever.
  • Protect your personal data: Never share identifiable information (your address, passwords, or deeply personal secrets) in your conversations with AI. This data may be stored and reused.
  • Embrace digital moderation: Generating 50 images just to test things out uses a surprising amount of water and electricity. Use prompts intentionally to reduce your environmental footprint.
  • Train your own brain: Let AI help you understand a difficult concept or get past a blank page, but write and create things yourself. It’s through practice that you develop your own critical thinking and creativity.

About the Author of This Blog

Arielle Duchesneau has several years of experience as a web developer and is also responsible for the creation and development of Angle Psy’s website.

She believes it is essential to put her digital skills at the service of social causes that matter to her, particularly those related to feminism and the well-being of marginalized communities.


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