Can the use of Chat GPT rot your brain?
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education continues to spark debate, especially as tools like ChatGPT become more widespread. While some see AI as a personalised learning assistant, others are concerned it might hinder critical thinking. A recent study by MIT has raised further questions, suggesting that relying too heavily on AI for tasks such as essay writing may reduce mental engagement and lead to what researchers call "cognitive debt".
In the study, participants were asked to write essays using either AI, a search engine, or only their own knowledge. Brain activity and writing quality were assessed to compare levels of cognitive involvement. Those using AI showed significantly lower engagement and struggled to recall information from their work. When roles were swapped for a final essay, those who had relied on AI performed noticeably worse than those who had written unaided from the start. The study suggests prolonged AI use may dull users' cognitive sharpness.
However, some researchers argue the findings aren’t conclusive. The apparent drop in engagement for AI users might stem from limited exposure to the full task set, rather than a true decline in ability. Conversely, those in the non-AI group had time to adapt and improve across multiple sessions. The study also highlighted that when learners used AI after already understanding the task well, they did so more effectively, suggesting that how and when AI is used matters greatly.
Ultimately, integrating AI into education isn’t about eliminating traditional learning, it’s about redefining it. Like the calculator revolution of the 1970s, the challenge lies in updating assessments to ensure they still demand meaningful learning. Instead of asking students to write standard essays, educators could set more complex tasks where AI is part of the process, not the solution. The key is teaching students how to use AI wisely, offloading routine tasks while reserving creativity and critical thinking for the human brain.