New York, May 24 (SANA) In a study cited by TIME magazine, researchers from the US and UK say increased reliance on artificial intelligence tools could weaken critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
An April study found that participants who used AI tools for short math and reading comprehension tasks performed worse when completing similar tasks later without assistance and were more likely to give up on difficult problems than participants who worked alone.
The researchers said the findings suggest reduced persistence and poor performance in isolation, and warned that relying too heavily on AI systems could cause some users to “stop trying.”
Another study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that participants who wrote essays using ChatGPT had weaker memory and lower overall performance compared to participants who completed the task without AI assistance.
MIT’s Natalya Kosmina said that writing practice helps develop reasoning and structured thinking skills, and warned that avoiding such processes could weaken those abilities over time.
Researchers linked this effect to so-called “cognitive offload,” or the use of external tools to reduce mental effort.
Christie Armitage, from the University of Queensland, said over-reliance on such tools could impact on the cognitive abilities of young learners in particular.
In contrast, Sam Gilbert from University College London said AI could redistribute rather than reduce mental effort, and the risks could primarily affect skills that are no longer regularly practiced.
Michael Gerlich warned that generative AI’s ability to provide complete answers could impede critical evaluation and lead to what he described as an “AI-trust spiral.”
Researchers say the long-term impact of AI is likely to depend on how the technology is used, with some arguing that AI can be used to support human reasoning by refining rather than replacing it.
Cosmina said more research was needed on how AI should be integrated into education and the workplace, and warned against widespread adoption without a clearer understanding of the long-term effects.
MF/ABD
