WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
Knox Health Commissioner Zach Green told county commissioners on March 5 that the agency is partnering with local organizations to develop training for teens on the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Green described AI as a tool that young people need guidance to navigate, especially as schools and communities consider how to introduce it into K–12 settings. He said Knox Public Health’s Behavioral Health Committee is collaborating with New Directions and the Teen Advisory Council to build form‑based materials and toolkits that will be used in community breakout sessions this summer. While AI offers significant opportunities, Green cautioned that it is also designed in ways that can produce false affirmations, making digital literacy essential.
Commissioners raised additional concerns. Drenda Keesee noted the risks posed by deepfake technology, which can replicate a person’s face and voice to fabricate statements or actions. Barry Lester questioned whether students relying on AI instead of conducting their own research could hinder cognitive development.
Green acknowledged those worries, adding that overly convenient tools can weaken critical‑thinking skills. He compared the issue to the use of Cliff Notes as a shortcut in past decades and said he has noticed some educators returning to books and paper to reinforce learning.
Green also briefed commissioners on current public health trends. Knox County has recorded 201 influenza cases in the first eight weeks of the season, including 19 hospitalizations. In January, the county confirmed 12 cases of Lyme disease.
Despite recent snowfall, Green emphasized that deer ticks remain active in winter, though at lower levels than in warmer months. He urged anyone bitten by a tick to bring it to the Health Department—especially if the tick is intact—so staff can identify the species. If the tick is a black‑legged deer tick, officials recommend follow‑up care with a primary provider.
Because nymph‑stage ticks are extremely small, many people who contract Lyme disease never realize they were bitten. Ticks cannot be tested for disease, making symptom monitoring and prompt medical attention critical. Green stressed that early detection and timely antibiotic treatment are key to preventing long‑term complications.
