- Recent studies suggest that excessive use of AI tools like ChatGPT can lead to procrastination, memory loss, and lower academic performance among students.
- Increased use of AI tools can also result in a loss of human skills and increased stress when physical or mental measures are later required.
- AI is not the only disruptive technology affecting human cognitive abilities, as smartphones and social media have also been found to reduce physical human interactions and critical thinking.
As AI tools become more prevalent, recent studies warn of potential negative impacts on human cognitive abilities, including memory loss, procrastination, and reduced critical thinking.
The Impact of AI on Academic Performance
According to a study published in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, students facing higher academic workloads and time pressure are more likely to use AI tools like ChatGPT. However, this increased use has been linked to lower grades, procrastination, and memory loss. The study also found that students who frequently used ChatGPT for academic tasks had poorer cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs).
AI Use Leads to Laziness and Addiction
A study published by Nature found that AI use can lead to laziness and addiction among users, particularly in educational settings. The study found that 68.9% of laziness in humans and 27.7% in the loss of decision-making are due to the impact of AI. As users increase their reliance on AI, they can lose human skills and experience increased stress when physical or mental measures are later required.
AI and the Job Market
A report by Goldman Sachs argued that advances in AI could expose the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs to automation. The Informing Science Institute also warned that constant use of AI in the job market may increase the pace at which skills become obsolete, requiring workers to adapt by investing in education or pivoting their professional expertise.
AI is Not the Only Disruptive Technology
AI is the latest in a series of disruptive technologies that have shaken society. Smartphones and social media have also been found to increase distractions and reduce physical human interactions. A 2017 study concluded that the trend towards using emojis and abbreviations in text messages impaired the ability to participate in longer, more nuanced conversations that demand better listening and speaking skills.
Conclusion
As AI tools become more prevalent, it is crucial to be aware of their potential negative impacts on human cognitive abilities. While these tools can offer benefits in terms of efficiency and accuracy, over-reliance on them can lead to a decline in essential human skills and cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is recommended to use AI tools judiciously and maintain a balance between technology use and active learning.
