MIT researchers found that using generative AI, like ChatGPT, for tasks such as essay writing may impair cognitive skills. Their study, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) to analyze brain activity, showed decreased engagement in cognitive processing among participants who relied on AI. Similarly, another study by Carnegie Mellon University indicated that overreliance on AI tools could diminish critical thinking. Additionally, a survey by Oxford University Press reported that 60% of UK schoolchildren felt AI negatively affected their academic skills. While many students appreciate AI’s role in enhancing certain skills, some express concern about it making their work too easy. Experts emphasize the necessity for more academic research on AI’s effects on learning. OpenAI’s Jayna Devani suggests using AI as a tutor rather than a crutch, advocating for informed engagement. The overarching concern remains: is improved efficiency leading to a decline in deeper learning and cognitive abilities in the long run?
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