Study warns heavy AI reliance may slowly erode human cognition
| Source: Morning Overview on MSN | Original article
A team of management researchers at the University of Bath has published the first experimental evidence that heavy reliance on large‑language models (LLMs) can erode core cognitive abilities. In a six‑month longitudinal trial, 312 participants were split into two groups: one used AI‑assisted tools such as ChatGPT for routine writing, data analysis and problem‑solving, while the control group completed the same tasks unaided. Cognitive tests administered before, during and after the study showed that the AI‑assisted cohort improved speed on task completion but suffered measurable declines in working memory, divergent thinking and the ability to recall information without prompts.
The findings echo a parallel MIT investigation that warned “rotting our brains” when users habitually outsource reasoning to chat‑based assistants. Both studies converge on a “boiling‑frog” metaphor: incremental gains in efficiency mask a gradual loss of mental flexibility. Researchers stress that the effect is not a sudden collapse but a subtle shift in neural activation patterns, with functional MRI scans revealing reduced prefrontal cortex engagement during unaided problem‑solving.
The implications reach beyond academia. Companies that embed LLMs into daily workflows may inadvertently diminish employees’ critical‑thinking capacity, while educators risk fostering a generation that defaults to AI for creativity and analysis. Policymakers and corporate leaders are now faced with a trade‑off between short‑term productivity and long‑term cognitive health.
What to watch next: the Bath team plans a follow‑up study that will test mitigation strategies, such as “AI‑off” intervals and deliberate practice of unaided reasoning. Simultaneously, the European Commission is expected to draft guidelines on responsible AI use in workplaces, potentially mandating periodic cognitive assessments for employees who rely heavily on generative tools. The coming months will reveal whether industry can balance the lure of instant AI assistance with the need to preserve human intellect.
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