OPINION: Generative AI has no place in academia

By Sean Jimenez
Assistant Editor
Published Monday, Dec. 1, 2025

As generative AI applications continue to grow more advanced, they gain more popularity among students looking to shortcut their way through essays and assignments.

While some people see AI as a useful tool to further their knowledge, I see it as a hindrance to education in all aspects.

Generative AI usage should not be used to write academic papers at the college level, yet many students use it to get by. AI is an unreliable source when doing academic research, and sometimes provides users with sources that do not actually exist.

I understand AI is something that will continue to infiltrate our everyday lives, but at the level it’s at currently, it cannot replace academic research.

More and more students simply type in their class’s essay prompt and ask ChatGPT to generate an essay, then turn that in to their professors. I’ve noticed some professors on TAMIU campus have differing opinions and rules for their courses regarding students using AI for their work.

There are professors who encourage students to use AI, and see it as a reliable tool, while others make students run their essays through AI detectors and include AI statements that they didn’t consult any AI platform.

I’ve noticed that biology professors tend to disapprove of AI, which tracks with the environmental impact generative AI is creating at an alarming rate.

Due to the vast amount of water AI data centers require to cool their servers, a single prompt can consume gallons of water. This waste isn’t worth generating a subpar essay.

Students should have confidence in their academic abilities and challenge themselves to gain new knowledge in college, not rely on a prompt to think for them. I worry that the art of learning is becoming obsolete, and if students continue down this path, they won’t be able to think for themselves in their future careers.