Plot

The year is 2033. ChatGPT, one of the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots, was launched 11 years ago. Since then, its use has become increasingly popular, some may even say necessary, in the daily functioning of the lives of the majority of the GTA population. Throughout the beginning stages of its launch, the citizens of Toronto were anxious and concerned about AI’s influence on the world at large. However, as time passed, comfortability with the various AI platforms became prevalent, people optimistically realized that these tools could increase quality of life thanks to their efficiency, precision, and problem-solving abilities. It became apparent quickly that humans cannot perform at the same speed or level as AI, thus causing a fundamental dependency on this technology. This newfound dependency has now bled into all facets of the functioning of society. In certain sectors, such as the business sector, this was an amazing advancement. Corporations began to run more efficiently without the moral and ethical problems that arose in the face of human relations. People were also encouraged to work less and focus on aspects of their lives that matter most. In other instances, these advancements have caused an unintended ripple effect on the human psyche. People began to ask themselves why they ought to perform a task when AI could do it bigger and better for them in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, this question quickly caused a slippery slope into prioritizing efficiency within society. Another unintended consequence of this technological development lies within our education system. The portion of jobs that AI has taken over has increased year by year, leaving the younger generation with more job scarcity than ever before. Because of this, students lack the incentive to perform well. Combining this lack of incentive and the prioritization of efficiency has hindered students’ intrinsic motivation. Cognitive skills such as critical thinking and learning through the creative process are undervalued in society and have been deemed unimportant or useless in the minds of students.