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AI will do the thinking, so you never have to think for yourself

Writer's picture: Joanne JacobsJoanne Jacobs

"I'll do the thinking for the both of us," Rick tells Ilsa in Casablanca. Even in 1942, it seemed unwise to outsource all cognitive activity to another human being.


Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as temporarily reunited lovers in Casablanca (1942)
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as temporarily reunited lovers in Casablanca (1942)

Now, researchers worry that relying on artificial intelligence will be bad for humans' brains, writes Ross Pomeroy. "From digital assistants to ChatGPT to Google Search’s AI Overview, AI is planning our days, doing our work, and answering our questions." It's "thinking for us," and weakening our ability to think for ourselves.

Half of Americans say they use AI several times a week or more, according to a 2024 Pew Research poll.


Companies argue that tasking AI assistants "with humdrum mental chores and queries frees up users’ time and cognitive resources, which they can then spend on other, more creative, and innovative pursuits," Pomeroy writes. However, many users aren't using that extra time and brain space for problem solving. They're "watching Netflix or perusing social media — content served up by AI algorithms."


Letting AI do the thinking causes critical thinking skills to erode, says researcher Michael Gerlich of the Swiss Business School. A recent study found that the more people used AI, the lower their critical thinking skills, reports Pomeroy. "Younger participants tended to be more dependent on AI tools compared to older participants."


“These results are linked with the wrong use of AI,” Gerlich told RealClearScience. Used correctly, to foster "critical discussions," AI can improve thinking, he believes.


Generative AI is fantastic for brainstorming, showing prompters choices and ideas they might not have considered. AI can also foster critical thinking when users hone the questions they are asking to achieve desired outcomes. For example: trying to get an AI image generator to produce something that matches what you’re imagining. You have to be very clear and descriptive.

Students should "learn how to assess the veracity of AI responses," not just accept it as a fount of wisdom, Gerlich says. If they don't engage cognitively -- that is, think -- they won't learn.

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