Does AI Make Us Stupid?

In the ongoing debate about artificial intelligence (AI) and its influence on our cognitive abilities, a recent viral research paper from MIT posits a provocative question: Does AI make us stupid? The work suggests that excessive use of tools like ChatGPT may diminish our cognitive engagement and lead to a decline in our long-term thinking capabilities.

The paper, aptly titled “Your Brain on ChatGPT,” raises alarms over the notion that while AI can simplify tasks, the potential consequences on our vital thinking skills could be dire. As users increasingly turn to technological aids, critics argue that this reliance could impair our ability to think independently.

This argument might resonate intuitively. Consider, for example, how relying on GPS has potentially stunted our natural navigation skills. As people lean on digital tools to retrieve information—like using Google to look up the capital of a U.S. state—retaining such knowledge has become less necessary. This raises a valid concern regarding dependency on technology and its long-term effects.

However, it is essential not to overreact to these claims. While fears of a “stupid age” might sound dire, history reflects a broader window of human folly that has persisted long before the advent of AI. The prevailing notion that excessive reliance on AI leads to a collective decline in intelligence deserves scrutiny and moderated discussion.