Swiss scientists from SBS Business School in Zurich concluded that increasing dependence on artificial intelligence (AI) tools is associated with a decrease in critical thinking abilities. This occurs due to the weakening of cognitive load. The research was published in the scientific journal magazine Communities.
Cognitive offloading is an attractive aspect of using AI because neural networks relieve humans of mental effort.
In the new study, experts surveyed nearly 670 people and divided them into three age groups: 17-25 years old, 26-45 years old, 46 years old and older.
Quantitative data collection included a 23-item survey measuring AI tool use, cognitive offloading tendencies, and critical thinking skills.
Statistical analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the use of AI tools and critical thinking scores (r = -0.68, p
Frequent AI users demonstrated a diminished ability to critically evaluate information and engage in reflective problem solving.
Cognitive load was found to be strongly related to AI tool use (r = +0.72) and inversely related to critical thinking (r = -0.75).
Younger participants showed greater dependence on AI tools and had lower critical thinking scores compared to older age groups.
Participants themselves expressed concern about the loss of critical thinking skills due to habitual use of AI tools. They frequently raised issues such as algorithmic bias and lack of transparency in neural network recommendations.
According to the authors of the report, their discoveries indicate the need to re-evaluate approaches to the use of artificial intelligence in education, science and other fields where active mental activity is required.
happened before knownIt turned out that people rated poems written by artificial intelligence higher than poems by Shakespeare and Byron.