AI Basics to Ethics: Your Questions Answered

Published Date : 4/9/2025 

Discover the basics of artificial intelligence, its uses, and the ethical concerns surrounding it, as shared by our curious and concerned readers. 

When we asked over 3,100 subscribers what they would like to know about artificial intelligence, the responses were both enlightening and thought-provoking. The 240-plus replies highlighted a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and genuine concern about how AI is reshaping our world.

Many readers expressed a desire for a straightforward introduction to AI, often referred to as “AI 101.” They wanted to understand the fundamentals, such as what AI is, how it works, and how to access it. One reader summed it up succinctly, stating, “Need a primary description for the uneducated like myself to understand the basics of AI, then proceed from there please.” Another added, “I don’t know anything about accessing AI, what it looks like, how to find it, very basic stuff.”

Several readers emphasized the importance of clarity and simplicity. “I need an introductory course — AI 101. My eyes glaze over when the subject is AI,” one person wrote. Another stressed the need to clarify what AI is not. “It’s NOT a search engine, and people in general don’t know how to use TOOLS like ChatGPT,” they noted. Practical examples were also in high demand. “For the uninitiated local folks, some prompts and responses could be a good start,” one reader suggested. They provided an example: “What is the best tree to plant in Westlake Ohio for maximum shade within 10 years?”

Fear and skepticism were equally prevalent in the feedback. Many readers were concerned about the potential misuse of AI. “My biggest issue is that people think current AI is actually intelligent. At the end of the day, they are still just more advanced algorithms,” one person wrote. Another warned, “We’ve heard concerns where incorrect or devious information might be churned out by, say, bots, to flood the Internet with this misinformation, thereby AI draws on that to produce wrong results.”

The political implications of AI were a significant concern. “Trump and sycophants using it to keep control, as the people of this country can’t be bothered to apply logic to anything they see and accept at face value,” one message said. Another asked whether government intervention could help: “Will there be some kind of government control to filter out the false statements within an AI post? Too many people are gullible to believe anything.”

Personal consequences of AI-generated misinformation were also a recurring theme. “I would LOVE to see AI covered in a guide as I am quite fearful of it,” one person wrote. Another said, “I would like to use it to create minutes for committee meetings … But I worry about all the fake news that manipulates public opinion on social media and other platforms. AI can create fake videos of people saying things they never said.”

The erosion of trust in information sources was a repeated concern. “My greatest fear is a further proliferation of misinformation. We need a tool to verify factual information,” one reader said. Another put it more simply: “How do we know what is real & what is AI generated garbage?”

Beyond the basics and the fears, many readers pressed for deeper explorations of AI’s societal effects. Some asked about jobs: “What jobs will people do when AI replaces their jobs. No one talks about that.” Another warned, “Beyond the Skynet scenario, the biggest concern is the more immediate impact of unemployment. Not only would there be less tax revenue generated, but there would be an insufficient safety net for those impacted.”

Health care was another focus. “I worry about health insurance companies using AI to deny treatments and procedures in order to save money,” one reader said. Another asked, “The New York Times broke a story this weekend that AI will be used in determining eligibility for some procedures for Medicare patients … Perhaps you can report more on this.”

Environmental concerns came up repeatedly. “For me it’s the tremendous stress it’s putting on the computing and electrical grid and by extension the planet. All because we can’t put these devices down and think for ourselves.” Others asked directly, “How much is AI raising our electric rates?” and “Is the environmental cost (water & electric consumption) worth it?”

Education was another area of concern. “Will students rely too heavily on ChatGPT and be unable to string together a coherent sentence without assistance?” one asked. Another wondered, “If young people become dependent on it, they won’t be able to write anything using their own brain. We already have a generation of kids that can’t even sign their name using cursive.”

Transparency in AI usage was also a key issue. “Specifically I want to understand how your newsroom is using AI and what the policy is for reporters,” one message said.

Here are seven thought-provoking responses:

AI isn’t always right but it always sounds right and I can see that causing real world pain.

Garbage in, garbage out. I would be less worried if we didn’t have so many alternative facts.

Seeing is believing! … With today’s state of society where so many facts are either misconstrued or even blatantly manufactured, I am beyond fear of where we are headed with the proliferation of AI generated videos, voice recording and photographs.

The difference between AI and human knowledge … An AI’s ‘experience’ is limited to the data it is fed. It doesn’t build up a personal base of common-sense knowledge the way a human does.

My fear is that too many hallucinations will further disrupt our understanding of the truth. We are already truth-challenged due to the Trump administration.

AI isn’t always bad. I used an AI bot to troubleshoot a digital picture frame … the bot diagnosed remotely and sent me the replacement cord free of charge and all is well with my photo memories.

It’s probably the most important invention since the telephone. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is AI 101?

A: AI 101 refers to a basic introduction to artificial intelligence, covering what AI is, how it works, and its common applications. It aims to provide a clear understanding of AI for those new to the topic.

Q: What are the ethical concerns surrounding AI?

A: Ethical concerns include the potential for AI to spread misinformation, invade privacy, and exacerbate social inequalities. There are also worries about AI replacing jobs and the environmental impact of large data centers.

Q: How does AI impact health care?

A: AI can improve diagnostics and treatment plans, but there are concerns about its use in determining eligibility for procedures and the potential for bias in decision-making.

Q: What are the environmental costs of AI?

A: The environmental costs of AI include high energy consumption and water usage, which can strain resources and contribute to climate change. There are ongoing discussions about whether these costs are justified by the benefits.

Q: How can AI be used responsibly in education?

A: AI can enhance learning by personalizing educational content and providing instant feedback. However, it's important to ensure that students develop critical thinking skills and don't become overly dependent on AI for basic tasks. 

More Related Topics :