Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New Research Suggests AI Assistants Could Be Impacting Your Cognitive Skills
Ghacks ^ | Feb 14, 2025 | Agencies Ghacks

Posted on 02/15/2025 5:02:35 PM PST by Openurmind

A recent study conducted by Microsoft in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University has raised concerns about the potential cognitive impacts of overreliance on AI tools such as Microsoft's Copilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT. The research suggests that while these generative AI assistants can enhance productivity by handling routine tasks, excessive dependence on them may lead to a decline in users' critical thinking abilities.

The study highlights a key irony of automation: by mechanizing routine tasks and leaving exception-handling to the human user, individuals are deprived of regular opportunities to practice judgment and strengthen cognitive skills. This lack of engagement can result in mental atrophy, leaving users unprepared when exceptions arise that require deeper analytical thinking.

Researchers observed that employees who frequently relied on AI for task completion exhibited diminished critical thinking skills compared to their less-dependent counterparts. These findings align with anecdotal reports from users expressing concerns about a decline in their cognitive engagement due to habitual AI use. One user noted, "I can really see that ChatGPT will make us more dumb as we will increasingly use AI without thinking and engaging our brain."

This research adds to a growing body of literature examining the unintended consequences of integrating AI into daily workflows. While AI tools offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency and convenience, experts caution against overdependence. They recommend that users remain mindful of maintaining their cognitive faculties by actively engaging in tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than defaulting to AI solutions for all challenges.

As AI continues to evolve and become more embedded in various aspects of work and life, striking a balance between leveraging technological advancements and preserving human cognitive skills will be essential. Users are encouraged to use AI as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, their own critical thinking processes.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last
Use it or lose it...
1 posted on 02/15/2025 5:02:35 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

I know search engines did.

AI would do far more cognitive damage because you would hardly have to think at all.


2 posted on 02/15/2025 5:03:31 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████ ████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

“AI would do far more cognitive damage because you would hardly have to think at all.”

Yep, I agree. Look at what happened with GPS. Now we have a generation who will not even start their car if their GPS is not working.


3 posted on 02/15/2025 5:07:52 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: All

Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today


4 posted on 02/15/2025 5:08:13 PM PST by BipolarBob (My dogs names are Timex and Rolex. Yep, they're watch dogs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

Gee, ya think?


5 posted on 02/15/2025 5:08:45 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

Or know how to use a map, if they had one....


6 posted on 02/15/2025 5:09:58 PM PST by Fungi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

The “Technology Trap” is closing in.


7 posted on 02/15/2025 5:11:11 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

I use to have a hundred or so phone numbers memorized. Now... pffft. I barely remember my own.

I can’t wait for AI to take over my book keeping and Tex prep. I hate doing that.


8 posted on 02/15/2025 5:13:13 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

I’m trying to understand what this article is telling me, but I’m just not getting it ...


9 posted on 02/15/2025 5:13:56 PM PST by ClearCase_guy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

Co Pilot is annoying. Bring back the earlier versions of Microsoft.


10 posted on 02/15/2025 5:16:12 PM PST by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD. Psalm 33:12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fungi

Last summer I thought my nephew how to use a map and compass. I gave him my old USFS maps to him that has all the cool things they hide from the public and aren’t on the new topo maps that you can only find with a map and compass.


11 posted on 02/15/2025 5:17:53 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind
Yep, I agree. Look at what happened with GPS. Now we have a generation who will not even start their car if their GPS is not working.

In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that I was pretty good at getting lost long before GPS showed up. 🤡

12 posted on 02/15/2025 5:20:31 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████ ████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

“I’m trying to understand what this article is telling me, but I’m just not getting it ...”

Better go back to AI then... :)


13 posted on 02/15/2025 5:22:35 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

2525 was a very good year


14 posted on 02/15/2025 5:23:44 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████ ████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy
I’m trying to understand what this article is telling me, but I’m just not getting it ...

Oh good, it's not just me. I read the article a couple of times. Something about artificial intemperance impacting cognac skillets.

15 posted on 02/15/2025 5:24:57 PM PST by GreenHornet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I have never used it. You would be surprised how many absolute cool places you find when you are lost. :)

No, I use old school hints, like odd and even addresses. Address numbers sequencing up or down... The natural sense of the four cardinal directions, Etc.

My favorite tool is just stop and ask directions, you meet some cool people when you do that.


16 posted on 02/15/2025 5:28:27 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Organic Panic

That is great! Pass that lost knowledge down!


17 posted on 02/15/2025 5:29:55 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind
"Yep, I agree. Look at what happened with GPS. Now we have a generation
who will not even start their car if their GPS is not working."

A few summers ago, I drove across the states to visit my son and future
daughter-in-law. On learning I had a rand mcnally road map of the continental United States,
my future daughter-in-law asked me why I needed a paper map when a
factory installed gps was built into my auto.

I tried to explain the usefulness of seeing the big picture but I think it went
over her head.

18 posted on 02/15/2025 5:34:57 PM PST by chief lee runamok ( Le Flâneur @Large)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

“The “Technology Trap” is closing in.”

Sure is... Soon we will not even be able to function without it. But you know this is the end goal as I do. They are hell bent on creating tech Zombies...


19 posted on 02/15/2025 5:35:03 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: chief lee runamok

What I realized a long time ago is that GPS is not always accurate. It has killed a lot of folks who trusted it blindly.


20 posted on 02/15/2025 5:37:47 PM PST by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson