TRUTH IN FOCUS
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth
OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, its newest and most capable AI model, with expanded abilities in research, computer use, coding and complex professional work. Access is beginning now and expanding to more users. (OpenAI)
And I think we need to have an honest conversation about AI.
As someone who deals with ADHD, I understand how difficult it can be to have ten different thoughts, projects and responsibilities going at once. For someone trying to start a business without a large staff, technology like AI can help organize information, break complicated jobs into manageable pieces and handle some of the repetitive work that would otherwise require additional people.
That can be a good thing.
But at what cost?
AI does not exist somewhere in the clouds without consequences. It runs in very real data centers that require electricity, water, land and infrastructure.
And Montana is already part of that conversation.
NorthWestern Energy says agreements involving proposed Montana data centers could require about 150 megawatts beginning in late 2027 and potentially grow to roughly 1,500 megawatts or more by 2030. The Montana Public Service Commission is already examining large-load and resource-adequacy questions, while the Legislature has also been studying data-center energy and water use. (Default)
That doesn’t automatically make data centers bad.
They may bring investment, technology and jobs.
But ordinary Montanans should not be expected to quietly pick up the bill.
If a billion-dollar technology company needs enormous amounts of electricity, who pays for the additional generation and transmission?
If a data center requires large amounts of water, where does that water come from, especially when much of Montana is already dealing with long-term drought? DNRC reported this summer that roughly 75% of Montana was experiencing moderate to extreme drought. (DNRC)
Those are fair questions.
The answer to AI isn’t pretending it is going away. It isn’t.
And simply refusing to learn about it may leave individuals, schools, businesses and communities further behind.
Instead, we should teach people how to use AI responsibly — how to question it, verify information, protect their privacy, recognize when it is wrong and understand when a human being still needs to make the final decision.
There are also legitimate safety concerns. OpenAI itself says Astra is the first model it has classified at its “Critical” cybersecurity capability threshold, meaning stronger safeguards are required because of what the system can potentially do in cybersecurity. (OpenAI)
So I don’t think the debate should be AI: yes or no.
I think the better questions are:
How do we use it responsibly? Who benefits? Who pays? Who is accountable when something goes wrong? And how do we make sure communities like ours benefit from this technology instead of simply supplying its electricity and water?
AI can be a tool.
It should never become an excuse to stop thinking.
And technological progress should not mean handing the bill to everybody else.
Truth in Focus
Look at the record. Follow the money. Ask the questions.
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