To Gen or Not to Gen: The Ethical Use of Generative AI

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot promise to revolutionize fields like software development, medicine, and education, but the real-world benefits remain modest — studies suggest productivity gains of only 5–15% for developers. Meanwhile, the harms are significant: massive energy consumption projected to reach 22% of U.S. electricity by 2028, environmental damage, misinformation, copyright violations, and threats to democracy. The authors conclude that ethical GenAI use is unlikely under current corporate control, and personally choose to avoid it entirely.