New Study Reveals Potential Cognitive Decline Linked to AI Bots Like ChatGPT

A recent pre-print study from MIT suggests that using OpenAI’s ChatGPT may contribute to cognitive decline. Participants were divided into three groups: those using ChatGPT, a search engine, or no tools. Brain scans during the essay-writing tasks indicated that the ChatGPT group displayed the lowest neural activation and struggled with recall and recognition. Conversely, the group that wrote without technology was more engaged, showing better cognitive engagement and memory retention. In a follow-up task without assistance, ChatGPT users performed worse, producing “biased and superficial” writing. The study posited that frequent use of AI tools like ChatGPT can create “cognitive debt,” impairing long-term learning and critical thinking. Participants relying on AI tended to internalize shallow perspectives, losing ownership of their ideas. The authors call for further research on AI’s effects on cognitive function before deeming it beneficial for human development.

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