A new study from MIT Media Lab suggests that frequent use of tools like ChatGPT can lead to decreased brain activity, impaired memory, a weakened sense of authorship, and cognitive engagement. This is a serious red flag.
AI as a tool for cognitive convenience
The study involved 54 volunteers aged 18–39. They were divided into three groups: some wrote essays using only ChatGPT, others used Google search engine, and the last group used only their own brain. The participants were connected to electroencephalograph (EEG) to measure brain activity while working.
The results were clear: the group of people using only their brain resources showed the highest level of cognitive engagement. This was particularly evident in the theta, alpha and delta bands – associated with creativity, working memory and semantic processing. The Google-assisted group was in the middle, but lowest level of neuronal activity observed in participants using ChatGPT.
What's worse is that the latter they remembered the content of written texts less well, they were less likely to identify with their content and were not able to summarize or comment on them later.
– The task was completed – quickly and conveniently – but, as our study shows, it was not integrated with the memory networks in the brain. – says Dr Natalia Kosmyna from MIT Media Lab, one of the authors of the study.
Efficiency vs. Cognitive Depth
The AI-generated texts were coherent and grammatically correct, but at the same time, teachers described them as “schematic, lacking soul and individual tone.” In contrast, the essays written independently were characterized by greater linguistic diversity and depth of reflection.
But what was the biggest problem? By the third essay, many participants in the ChatGPT group completely gave writing to the tool, without trying to edit, think through, or personalize the content. So AI was no longer an assistant – it became the main author. This clearly changes the way the human brain learns, processes, and remembers.
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Is AI making us stupid?
The MIT research team found that switching from AI to manual writing caused the same people to experience further declines in their brain activity. This effect may suggest permanent change of cognitive patterns. Some of the effects were most visible in areas responsible for attention, focus and planning.
In practice, this means that regular use of AI can lead to cognitive "laziness," a decrease in the ability to think independently and process information. Instead of developing their intellect, users delegate it to the algorithm.
What's Next? Education and Technology
The study’s conclusions have significant implications for both the education system and for companies implementing generative AI in their daily work. In HR and knowledge management, the question arises: How to combine automation with cognitive activation of employees? How to ensure that AI supports thinking rather than replaces it?
Researchers pay particular attention to young users:
- What really motivated me to publish the results now, without waiting for full peer review, was the fear that in 6-8 months some policy maker will introduce GPT into kindergartens. I think that would be completely wrong and harmful – admits Kosmyna.
Implementing AI thoughtlessly everywhere and for everyone will not bring good results. That is why scientists are calling for conscious use, moderation and purposefulness. A chatbot doesn't have to be a threat, but it does require a knowledgeable user who knows when and why they're using it.
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MIT Study Highlights: AI as Assistant, Not Author
MIT researchers do not demonize AI. Instead, they remind us that even the most powerful language models they will not replace us the process of learning, reflection, and self-reflection. Using ChatGPT can be productive, but only if it is a tool and not a substitute for thinking.
Considering all the above information, can we say that artificial intelligence impairs our brain? No – but our cognitive behaviors are changing, if we give her control over the creative process too easily. Technology itself does not decide what happens to us – our decisions do. And the most important of them remains: do we still want to think for ourselves?
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