Cindy Rivas Alfaro/The Cougar

The general message and intent behind Valentine’s Day has always been a positive one: to celebrate the love that couples share for one another. 

While this may have been the original objective, current interpretations have taken the concept of Valentine’s Day and commercialized it to a point where there now exists a societal expectation to spend a great deal of money on gifts, restaurant outings and even trips. 

Although there are some couples that spend their Valentine’s Day without purchasing such material items, there are many more that feel the need to adhere to expectation and show love to their partner by splurging on Valentine’s Day as it is commercialized on TV. 

This showcasing of love, however, is just one of the many ways that couples can express love. 

It actually may be more likely that by appealing to a more personable and intimate celebration, couples will enjoy Valentine’s Day more. 

Valentine’s Day spending hit an all-time high during the pandemic and dropped significantly in 2021, according to data.

But in 2022 spending began to increase yet again, though such effects could be attributed to the rapid surge in marriages, lockdowns and other financial strains during and after the pandemic. 

Regardless, it seems that the trend of spending on Valentine’s Day varies across generations. Boomers and Generation Xers tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day less than Millennials and Generation Z.  

Even when research respondents claimed they had no plans to celebrate the holiday, they still spent a good amount of money on their significant other to adhere to the expectation of gifting something to their loved ones on the day of love.

This is not to say that couples or people should completely avoid spending money on Valentine’s Day for the special people in their lives. 

It simply depends on who people celebrate this special holiday with. For this reason, however, more creative, personable gifts should be given more.

Personalized gifts are often more affordable and are a more genuine gesture for couples and other significant others to show love. 

According to a survey of 2000 Americans, 62 percent of respondents preferred to be gifted personalized gifts over store-bought, generic gifts for the holidays. Breaking out of the expectation for a Valentine’s gift may just be something a romantic partner or significant other needs on Valentine’s Day. 

Oftentimes, many couples feel that there is an expectation to spend money on gifts and other exuberant gestures as a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

While that may be the case at times, the best way to celebrate this cherished holiday is to simply show love to significant others in a way that is familiar, expected and personable.

JJ Caceres is a political science sophomore who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Showing love doesn’t mean overspending” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Are you falling for someone? Are you already in love? Or are you like the many who are completely single and couldn’t be happier? 

Whichever category you might fall into, love is more than just a feeling, but a multitude of responses inside the brain and body that pulls you in and can be hard to let go. 

Love is something many have dreamt about as children and even continue to as adults. This need to be loved and to love is quite perplexing.

Yet, what is so special about love and why can it be so all-consuming?

As surprising or unsurprising to some as it might seem, romantic love can produce an array of responses in the body and can be fueled by chemicals in the body.

This makes sense as it seems like a full-body experience when even attempting to go on a first date with both head and heart in mind.

Depending just how far along the stage of romance or the relationship can also determine the different levels of hormones released in the and in turn can affect how excited or comfortable one might feel in the relationship.

With love there can be these fluctuating feelings of excitement, nervousness, confusion, frustration and so much more. Yet it is likely not specific to one person or another, but to many people. 

This is likely because the pursuit of love or need for love is a part of nature.

Chemicals in the brain like dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol and others are important because they can contribute to feelings of pleasure, attachment, bonding and stress. 

Some of the chemicals can also contribute to the not so fun side effects like poor appetite, ruminating thoughts and nervousness.

With this in mind, the idea of being in love doesn’t necessarily sound all that enticing. 

It seems more likely one would be exhausted before reaping any benefits. 

Fortunately for some, it appears the initial anxiety and discomfort in a new relationship doesn’t necessarily last. 

However, if one finds themselves unsuccessful in finding love or being successful at love, don’t worry. 

Hope is not lost. 

While some might believe others are lucky or unlucky at love, maybe it’s something they’re doing which is affecting their outcome.

Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher was featured on Ted Radio Hour back in 2019 where she shared her thoughts and findings on love.

Fisher stated how she believed romantic love and attachment were biological drives instead of feelings. With this, people can have a choice in who they fall in love with if they’re able to overcome that drive. 

As a result, instead of succumbing to the drives one can learn to adapt that drive to their needs before falling for the wrong person or before their ability to make decisions about the relationship falters. 

With this in mind and based upon Fisher’s perspective, choose your lover based on connection, attraction and personal needs instead of placing a heavier emphasis solely on wants.

Love can be hard to find and equally hard to let go. With all the internal factors affecting love, it’s no surprise people find themselves in heartbreak for reasons like time, energy, love spent and even missing the enjoyable emotions mixed in. 

It’s easy to want to return to those enjoyable feelings which in part makes love so addictive. 

Love is complicated not just to experience, but also to explain. It is a culmination of feelings, emotions and needs. 

However, when one chooses to pursue or be in love, understanding the varying emotions can all be a part of the process. 

Finding a way to enjoy the experience and implications of love versus questioning just how good one might be in love might make the process a little easier.

Katherine Graves is a junior strategic communications major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Love is like a drug” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

If you’re wondering if you missed the chance to go to graduate school, it’s never too late to further your education. 

Learning is a never-ending journey and if graduate school can help enhance that journey, there is no strict rule as to when you can or should start. 

To put things in perspective, the average age of a graduate student is 33 years old with 22 percent being over 40 years old. A lot of graduate students are further along in life when they decide they want to come back to school.

There might be some concerns or worries of getting back into the habit of learning, reading, completing assignments or other academic duties that graduate school entails but more often than not, the life experiences gathered outside of school can easily transfer over. 

In fact, there are a lot of benefits that come with deciding to go to graduate school a little later down the line. 

For one, if you have an established career, a graduate degree might help with gaining a salary increase or a further development in your employment. A graduate degree showcases many things like an eagerness to learn, a drive to improve and willingness to take initiative. 

Education has always been a tool for social mobility and that does not change the older one gets. 

If you don’t have a job or are fumbling with a career choice, a graduate degree is still a safe choice as it provides a space for networking to take place. College campuses are filled with a variety of resources to take advantage of like career services, research opportunities and an environment to grow with fellow students. 

A little more of a personal perk of going back to school is the return of all the student discounts that are now at your disposal. 

Spotify’s $5 a month deal beats a lot of subscription services by a mile as it also includes Hulu and SHOWTIME on the side. Students can even add Disney Plus for an extra $2 a month if they really want to. 

Discounted prices to stores, museums and zoos are also something to look forward to from your returning status as a student. 

Although it might be a little daunting to return to school if you are juggling a family life, work life and social life as an adult, a graduate degree offers a breath of fresh air and a new opportunity to grow. 

Some are also probably returning to get their graduate degree because they are finally at a place in life where they can handle the responsibility that comes with it. 

Wherever you are in life, graduate schools are designed to welcome non-traditional students and meet them where they are. 

All there is to do is send in that application and reclaim the status of a student with open arms. 

Cindy Rivas Alfaro is a journalism sophomore student who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com 

—
“It’s never too late to go to graduate school” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Recycling has been taught to not only be helpful to the planet but morally correct. However, recycling might not be changing the world as much as people believe.

Many factors affect the outcome of whether an item is recycled, where the material goes, if it is affecting climate change as well as recycling’s effects on the economy.

Some may do their part by recycling a plastic bottle here and there, recycling material throughout their day or they might take the zero-waste approach. 

Whether one chooses to recycle or not, the impact of those efforts is important to know.

According to the EPA 2018 Fact Sheet, roughly 69 million tons of waste were recycled out of 292 million tons, accounting for 23.6 percent of total municipal solid waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports recycling and reuse activities accounted for hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenues and wages. 

With these numbers, the impact of recycling seems positive. However, it is important to note the downsides.

Recycling can be costly because of the lack of demand for certain recycled products which can affect costs and can determine whether the materials end up incinerated or recycled. 

The cost of the different components of recycling from collection to the facility should not be overlooked either and can unfortunately cost more than incineration. 

The current recycling system is somewhat counterintuitive. If some communities find themselves having to pay more, or are losing money to recycle, it debatably isn’t financially sustainable for some. 

Recycling used to be a reliable way to give back to the environment, yet knowing that materials might not be recycled and might cost more money in the end is disheartening to say the least. 

For other means of disposal, like incineration, it can contribute to health concerns for those in nearby areas due to its dangerous byproducts. This also does not take into account the effects it might have on the environment. 

There are numerous problems affecting the U.S. recycling efforts with their own significant impacts. Recycling now seems more exhausting, yet it might be too soon to become discouraged.

Recycling and composting has increased since the 1960’s to around 32.1 percent in the year 2018, yet a large portion of waste is not recycled and ends up in landfills accounting for 50 percent of the roughly 292 million tons. 

However, the EPA reports in 2018, 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide was spared from entering the atmosphere because of recycling and composting efforts. 

To push for recycling efforts, there should be a national campaign. It should be a public service announcement for companies, local municipalities and people to take into consideration the growing climate crisis and understand the value of recycling and recyclable materials. 

The numbers can be overwhelming, and it’s difficult at times to determine how effective recycling actually is. 

Interestingly, what one can recycle is quite shocking and can be an array of household items. 

The question of whether one should recycle is complicated. The short answer is yes because it does appear that the benefits outweigh the negatives. 

Additionally, checking one’s local recycling programs and becoming well-versed in the process will hopefully be more successful in recycling efforts.

Katherine Graves is a junior strategic communications major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Recycling processes should be improved” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Understanding the value of food and a healthy balance of certain foods can offer more benefits than some might realize.

Health can be affected by many aspects of one’s life from genetics to environmental to lifestyle.

However, health and more specifically mental health can also be affected by what one eats.

Without question, food is a significant part of the human experience and human life. Whether someone can sit and savor their meal or simply grab a quick bite, it might all seem the same. 

However, despite food being a necessity to fuel the body, its importance can sometimes get lost during the hustle and bustle of life when it shouldn’t.

While some people might attempt to eat well or be conscientious about the foods they are consuming, many Americans are not getting the proper nutrients in their diets which includes fruits and vegetables. 

Nonetheless, changes can be made to the diet to better incorporate the proper foods but one should know it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before changes are noticed.

College students are known to be on the go along with many other people in the world, but it doesn’t have to be a chore to be healthy and it can potentially help with one’s day.

There are links to how fruits and vegetables, and eating a well-rounded diet can positively contribute to limiting inflammation and lowering depression and anxiety in young adults. 

Similarly, complex carbohydrates are believed to offer calming effects and protein is believed to also affect motivation, as one example.

This only adds to the reasons to want to pursue healthy eating and maybe skip the fast-food joints when one can help it. 

However, it is the combination of foods, not just fruits, vegetables, protein or carbs alone which can contribute to a well-rounded diet.

Food options like lean meats, whole grains, lower fat dairy products, leafy greens and other vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes such as but not limited to soy products and others foods are options rich with minerals or vitamins.

However, excessive amounts of minerals and vitamins can be toxic, despite the health benefits they offer so keep that in mind.

Fruits and vegetables, among other dietary changes, also are believed to be connected to lowering the risk of cancer, blood pressure and heart disease.

Still, managing one’s diet and knowing how much to eat of certain foods can add to the challenge of eating well. 

According to Harvard University’s Healthy Eating Plate, it is recommended to eat half a plate of vegetables and fruit, one quarter of both protein and whole grains, and incorporate healthy plant oils, such as, but not limited to sunflower or olive oil into one’s meals and liquids like water, tea, or coffee.

Having a general guide to go by can be a nice, quick reference when meal prepping or even making or purchasing a bite. Yet, there are different meal plan options out there so find which works best for you. 

While eating a balanced diet is important, it is equally important to mention that not everyone can necessarily afford or find accessible ingredients to always make a healthy meal. 

When it is possible, consider slowly incorporating certain foods into one’s diet. This can also apply to people who want to gauge how different foods might affect them.

All this to say, one’s mood can be affected by what one eats and affect the quality of one’s life. 

Understanding the value of a balanced meal, and if able, making attempts to create a healthy balance of food and meals can potentially offer physical and mental health benefits.

Katherine Graves is a junior strategic communications major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Balancing your diet is important” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

A four-day workweek should be the new normal as it is the first step toward reconstructing the harmful work culture that affects employees all over the country. 

Workers in U.S. are stressed now more than they were in 2020 with stress levels reaching an all-time high. Low pay, production prioritization and long hours contribute to this stress and it only grows when no efforts are done to change the system. 

On average, Americans end up working an extra month of work per year. Whether it’s a push from their employees or an attempt to make ends meet, the work culture in America pushes the agenda that people are machines meant to work and not do anything else. 

This is something that needs to change. 

The way capitalistic societies are built are to profit off of ‘hard work’ when only a certain few will have that work pay off in the end. 

A new term that emerged called chrononormativity explores how society uses time as a measurement to push our bodies to the limit and achieve success through socially constructed means that not everyone can achieve. 

For example, once you turn 18, you’re expected to go to college, or by 25 you are expected to have a stable job, a significant other and possibly a home. By 60, you are meant to retire.

All of these are learned through what society deems to be acceptable chronological milestones. 

Nowadays, people are achieving different milestones at different stages in their lives which does not match the model society has thrusted forward. 

Race, gender, nationality, class, sexuality and other demographics all play a part in when and how people achieve these milestones as not everyone is given the same opportunities. 

If someone falls out of line, they are urged to get back on their feet or else fame shame, stress or belittlement by others. 

No one pauses to question why you have to accomplish things by a certain age or why the solution is to continue following a timeline that does not align with everyone’s personal goals or aspirations. 

The same could be said about the classic five-day workweek. Working 40 hours or more a week is just not sustainable anymore, especially if the pay stays the same while other prices continue to rise. 

There once was a period of time where the six-day work week and no labor laws was the norm but with persistent activism, things changed.

There needs to be flexibility when it comes to how much time you should spend working in order to improve not only the human condition but to lead fulfilling lives. 

Society is heavily focused on pushing out max productivity from people rather than recognizing that they are individuals with their own personhood outside of the workplace. 

During the pandemic, the work culture drastically changed as a majority of employees transitioned to remote work. Working from home became the new ‘normal’ for society and it was one of the first moves that made people realize that there could be a change in the workplace. 

If remote work was possible, the push for a four-day workweek did not seem so far away. 

In 2022, 4 Day Week Global implemented a trial to try and implement a 32-hour work week which gained positive responses. Out of all the employees, 97 percent of them wanted to continue the trial as stress, burnout and fatigue levels declined throughout the six months. 

Companies were later asked if they would like to continue the trial and out of the 27 who filled out the final survey, 18 were positive about continuing. 

Just from this trial, it proves that change is long overdue with how much time people spend at work when they should be spending it doing something else. 

States like Maryland are already pushing toward a four-day workweek as they realize the benefits that come with the decision. 

A four-day workweek would not only ease the burden off of many workers but also give them more time to pursue personal endeavors that are not possible with the highly demanding five-day work week. 

The pandemic, although a disastrous period for many, showed that adjustments can be made if circumstances change. If remote work was able to be implemented, a four-day workweek is soon to follow. 

Once people have a taste of what it’s like to live without the strict, never-ending cycle of America’s capitalistic society, there is no going back. 

Cindy Rivas Alfaro is a journalism sophomore major who can be reached ay opinion@thedailycougar.com 

—
“Four-day workweeks should be implemented in society” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Mental health can be debilitating and knowing when and if therapy is the right fit could improve the quality of life in whatever area one chooses. 

It is important to note that it is natural to have doubts about therapy or fears of judgment about going to therapy. 

However, whatever decision is made, it should be with the idea that therapy is a tool to help the mind in the same way an extra shoe sole offers arch support for a runner. Not everyone might need or want extra arch support and this isn’t a bad thing

It’s just a preference when walking or running through life.

With all this in mind, only the individual will know if therapy is a good fit.  

Therapy for some can be an environment to safely voice daily frustrations, fears, struggles and even positives of life. 

Therapy can be beneficial if experiencing sudden or long-term overwhelming challenges affecting daily life, tasks and interactions. These challenges can range from anxiety, depression, various stressors and much more. 

Life can be inconsistent. As a college student, it can be really inconsistent. There are highs and lows which can be both exciting and exhausting.

Knowing when to reach out for help and if one has the tools to do so can help gauge if therapy might be something to consider. 

The wonderful thing about therapy is it offers patients and professionals the ability to discuss what options are best for tackling the patients’ issues.

For college students, this may be learning to better manage a social life, school work, social anxieties or other issues, as examples.

Some methods of therapy can include online therapy which might appeal to someone on the go or with a busy schedule, as well as in-person therapy for methods of treatment. 

Nonetheless, the idea of therapy can be overwhelming, not to mention the price tag that comes with it. Therapist prices can vary from $100 to $200 on average per session.

Whatever avenue an individual pursues, it is vital for them to adequately address their feelings and find healthy ways to cope instead of running away from or numbing those concerns. 

While each situation and patient is different, it can take a number of sessions before seeing results in therapy which only further puts a dent in the bank.

It can be easy to feel lost in one’s own thoughts and headspace. If someone has ever felt alone in their mental health issues or struggles with mental health, they are not alone.

According to the National Institute of Mental, one in five adults live with a mental illness. 

Nonetheless, it’s also possible therapy might be too difficult for some to confront certain issues.

Therapy is a choice and not a choice everyone needs or must make. 

Knowing one’s own limitations and goals is important, and even asking those close to one’s inner circle for outside perspective doesn’t hurt and can be valuable when considering if therapy is a good fit.

Katherine Graves is a junior strategic communications major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Pursuing therapy is a personal choice” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Partisanship between the two major parties has now developed further into struggle with the individual parties as Republicans struggled to vote on a new Speaker of the House. 

Although eventually confirmed, Kevin McCarthy’s problematic election as the new Speaker of the House highlights the deeply fractured state of the GOP. 

Post-Trump era ideas have been cemented into republicans pushing for the passage of conservative legislation as a reaction to Democrats’ policy making and other moderate Republicans who have rejected the MAGA movement.

As expected, nearly all Democrats voted against McCarthy, but the refusal to grant the position to McCarthy in the end came from a group of conservatives in the House: the House Freedom caucus. 

Notable members within the caucus that opposed McCarthy’s election included Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Andy Biggs and Scott Perry. 

Perry would later flip and vote for McCarthy, but only because of a “rules package” that was later attached as a bonus to the rules of the 118th House of Representatives. 

These rules have been criticized by Democrats and some Republicans in the House, arguing that they grant great bargaining power to groups such as House Freedom and put McCarthy in a weakened position as House Speaker. 

Kevin McCarthy had been a supporter for most of Trump’s presidency, up until the  U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Even after reconciling with Trump to save face, members of House Freedom seem to feel like McCarthy is still not part of their group. 

The trend of hardcore conservatives alienating other Republicans who fail to adhere to the MAGA agenda being set in place by groups such as House Freedom seem to suggest that the GOP’s majority in the House is not solid at all. 

Rather, the rules package adopted by the House in order to appease McCarthy’s opponents in his own party hint at the fact that he may not end up being the true Speaker of the House after all. 

For instance, the new rules package includes a provision that allows for any single lawmaker to call for McCarthy’s removal.

 Should the vote be reached, McCarthy would be removed as Speaker of the House and other caucuses such as House Freedom can nominate another member of the Republican Party who aligns more with their agenda and beliefs. 

Furthermore, one of the rules in the package includes the creation of a subcommittee specifically designed to investigate the Department of Justice. 

Jim Jordan, a member of the House Freedom caucus and close ally to  Trump, will be the one leading the subcommittee and will have access to similar resources as the Jan. 6 committee. 

Freedom House conservatives currently in the House of Representatives used McCarthy’s Speaker nomination as yet another showcase of aggressive conservative policy making. 

This is a reaction against opposing Republicans, an attitude instilled in them by Trump, who has managed to maintain a group of conservatives in government who seem to be unwilling to compromise when it is needed most.

JJ Caceres is a political science sophomore who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“Speaker of the House confirmation reveals a divided GOP” was originally posted on The Cougar

Cindy Rivas Alfaro/The Cougar

With the severe weather causing umbrellas to flip over and roads to flood, UH should have canceled class or at least provided a virtual option for students. 

Tornado warnings have been issued in Harris, Chambers and Liberty counties with a tornado touching the ground in Pasadena and heading toward Baytown. 

Pasadena police are working to respond to several calls from people affected by the tornado. 

Houston could see wind speeds from 30 to 50 mph with heavy rainfall reaching 6 inches in some areas. 

With a majority of students unable to miss class or unaware of the severe weather conditions, they would have to head home with possible flooding in roads and highways. 

ABC 13 has issued a warning for Houston drivers to be cautious when on the road as several cars have already been seen stranded as roads overflow with water. 

Houston has been known to flood easily because of its low terrain and inadequate sewer systems. It is not surprising to face these weather conditions but it is upsetting to see not much has been done to combat these issues. 

“I think the storm today just makes it feel like UH doesn’t care very much about students beyond the tuition. We knew the storm was coming and (it) was gonna be pretty rough,” said electrical engineer junior Aud Hieronymus. “Even if we didn’t, canceling things as soon as stuff got bad would’ve been good enough.” 

Many students have voiced their frustrations with UH as their clothes and belongings ended up soaked as they tried to make it to their classes. Some have even pointed out the inaccessibility of navigating on campus with sidewalks filled with water. Others are worried about driving home. 

“I think it’s insane that we’ve made everything online during COVID and it was more than functional, then abandon the idea of COVID as well as online classes when online technology is more than useful, especially on days like these,” said psychology sophomore Jocey Jimenez. 

UH has the tools to make attending classes safer for students but a majority of the time, the University does not take advantage of its tools. 

“I actually love this weather but it’s extremely dangerous weather. It was hard to see and the winds were literally blowing me away,” said public health junior Katelyn Teran. “I slipped so many times trying to get to class.”

The University should take student safety into account whenever severe weather conditions can cause hazards for students on campus. With Houston’s infamous history of floods, appropriate measures should be taken to lessen the number of accidents and casualties. 

Cindy Rivas Alfaro is a sophomore journalism major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“UH should have canceled class due to severe weather” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

By now, many people have started using artificial intelligence art to make their own art, books or even anime-inspired selfies. 

Although it might be simple to use the software, people should be aware of the dangers as AI software gathers a collection of images from the internet that have been used without the consent of their owners. 

To add on, many artists are against the usage of AI art as it only devalues the hard work of artists as it’s most likely their own work being used by the AI art database.

AI art is not really machine-based art. The few databases in which AI art gets generated from is actual work from real artists who more often than not have not consented to their work being used to train artificial intelligence bots. 

Artificial intelligence can be very useful as it can be trained to perform a variety of tasks whether it is to drive a car, categorize data, provide medical attention or in this case, create art. 

However, the issue of artificial intelligence lies in its ethics.

Machines have already taken over other occupations like cashiers with self-checkout stations.  

Companies can choose to scrape artists, graphic designers and other artistically based occupations once they learn how to train artificial intelligence apps.

On an individual scale, people can use AI art to claim that their work was created all on their own which raises the question of ‘stealing’ art. 

With how advanced AI art is becoming, it’s getting harder and harder to differentiate art made by a human and art made by a machine. 

To add on, more sinister concerns include users programming AI art software to produce pornographic material of others and claiming they’re actual photos of that person. 

AI art is free and available to everyone and that is a problem. 

If not everyone is allowed to access or create data that allows you to program self-driving cars or the medical files needed to make diagnoses, the same treatment should be given to AI art. 

It might seem like an exaggeration but with little to no restraints on what people can do with AI art software, it’s safer to put the practice on pause as proper regulations are placed to prevent any negative consequences. 

Artists are already struggling to make ends meet with their art and for a machine to take years of skill and spit out a similar image in seconds is troubling. 

There should be clear cut lines on what a person can use AI art for and they should specify whether the image will be used for monetary gain. 

Transparency is also important as well as a clear distinction if images are being used with permission to create AI art. 

Without structure or rules, AI art might end up doing more harm than good. 

Cindy Rivas Alfaro is a journalism sophomore who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“AI art should be used with caution” was originally posted on The Cougar