A study finds that frequent AI use might be harming our critical thinking skills.
AI has become so ingrained in our everyday lives, from weather questions to Amazon's Alexa to asking ChatGPT the big questions.
But some of us probably use it a little too much: writing essays, job hunting and applying, drafting emails, task workflow, day-to-day tasks - and pretty much all the mundane stuff we don't want to deal with.
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But a new study reveals that relying too much on AI to lighten our mental load might actually be negatively impacting our brains.
Dr. Michael Gerlich at SBS Swiss Business School in Zurich, Switzerland, conducted a study into 'cognitive offloading' (letting AI do the thinking for us) and how it impacts our critical thinking.
The study surveyed 666 participants in the UK via quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The individuals were grouped by age (17 - 25, 26 - 45 and 46+) and each had varying educational backgrounds.
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Participants answered a 23-question survey measuring AI tool use, cognitive offloading habits, and critical thinking skills. Semi-structured interviews were also carried out with 50 participants.
Of course, the younger generations relied on AI the most, using it more frequently than the 45+ age group.
Whereas, those in the 46+ group scored higher in critical thinking.
“Younger participants (17-25) exhibited higher dependence on AI tools and lower critical thinking scores compared to older participants,” Dr Gerlich explained. “These results highlight the potential cognitive costs of AI tool reliance, emphasising the need for educational strategies that promote critical engagement with AI technologies.”
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This follows another study carried out by TalentLMS which discovered the impact of AI in the workplace. The research polled 1,000 Gen Z employees (ages 20-27) in the US and found that younger workers are leaning on AI more than their managers for help.
Nearly half (46%) of Gen Z professionals said they get better guidance from AI than their managers. Meanwhile, an extra 46% also admitted they prefer asking AI about work-related questions over their colleagues or managers.
"When AI showed up, they embraced it," the researchers stated.
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"For Gen Z, AI isn’t just a new tech tool. It’s their 24/7 sidekick, helping them navigate work and life.”
As AI use continues to grow, the researchers predict that the workplace will be redefined as workers rely more on technology and put human interaction on the back burner.
“AI can do wonders for Gen Z. But at the same time, it throws a wrench into their professional development,” the authors concluded. “Especially when it comes to teamwork, communication and building workplace relationships.”