As the usage of artificial intelligence surges throughout universities worldwide, “AI slop” has fallen into our professors’ hands and flooded the classrooms of Slippery Rock University.

Our professors have presented slideshows with AI generated images, assigned AI generated worksheets and AI-based tasks, sent emails written entirely by AI, and required us to pay for AI models.

The truth is, the harms that come from using artificial intelligence greatly outweigh the benefits. AI corrodes critical thinking skills. It also facilitates gender-based violence and misogyny online, perpetuates systemic racism, and destroys the climate. And who profits from all of this?

Some professors have policies stating that AI is generally unacceptable, “but here’s what to do if you use it.” Others say that it’s okay to use AI “as long as you don’t rely on it” and then tell us that we can use chatgpt for class discussions, slideshows, and to “polish” emails.

Why are we using machines to write for us and change our voices? Are we not capable of forming our own coherent thoughts and sentences? Are we not able to come up with our own ideas, take on challenges, and do our work ourselves? Young adults, critical thinkers, societal changemakers… everything authentic about us is not mechanical; everything good about us is what AI is not.

It's true that we can’t escape technological advancements, and likewise can't ignore AI. Therefore, students and faculty must acknowledge AI’s existence and determine how it will shape our academic futures at SRU.

Going forward in our educational futures, we must embrace critical thinking and stop the AI slop.

By signing, you affirm: "I urge all professors at SRU to stop using and promoting AI in their learning instruction, assignments, and classroom activities."