Thinking Less in the Age of Machines: AI Overuse and Cognitive Decline
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Abstract
As artificial intelligence (AI) grows exponentially and becomes embedded in our day-to-day life, important questions emerge: is it helping us think better, or is it making us think less? This position paper explores how overreliance on AI might affect important cognitive skills like memory and critical thinking. Drawing from current empirical research, this paper asserts that while AI offers substantial benefits, it encourages users to rely on it. Further, this paper explains key concepts - cognitive offloading (the use of external means to store information) and working memory (the memory involves not only for storage but for manipulation and transformation of information). Research shows that there is a strong relationship between offloading of information to devices and declined effort to remember and reason. It also points out that while offloading can be a smart way to work efficiently, the risk lies in using AI mindlessly. In conclusion, the paper calls for a balanced approach, advocating for self reflection and awareness, and institutional responsibility. It recommends selective and strategic offloading, retrieval-based learning, and clear AI-use policies to mitigate potential cognitive decline.
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