The use of generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, is under intense scrutiny in the scientific community.Several recent investigations have brought to the table the possible effects that these technologies can have on human cognitive abilities, especially when its use becomes routine for solving intellectual or academic tasks. The debate is increasingly extending to educators, parents and policy makers., who seek to understand the risks and benefits of integrating tools like ChatGPT into daily life.
Thousands of people already use AI assistants to write texts, resolve doubts or plan activities., but the crucial question is: What happens in our brain when we delegate these processes to a machine? The results of several studies conducted primarily at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are beginning to provide some answers and warn of the need for conscious and measured use of these technologies.
Less brain activity and “cognitive debt” when delegating to ChatGPT
MIT researchers have analyzed how brain activity changes when college students use ChatGPT, traditional search engines, or just their knowledge to write essays.The participants were divided into three groups: one used only ChatGPT, another used search engines without AI features, and the third did without any digital assistance. Their neural connections were monitored using electroencephalography (EEG) techniques during the writing process.
The findings indicate that The group that delegated to ChatGPT had the lowest neural connectivity and lower overall performanceTheir texts tended to be more repetitive, less original, and with a lower sense of authorship. Researchers also detected a tendency toward reliance on automated functions, such as copying and pasting content, and a decrease in the amount of mental effort invested.
This phenomenon has been dubbed “cognitive debt”: A progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities due to the constant outsourcing of mental processes to AI. While productivity may increase in the short term, memory, creativity, and critical thinking are impaired in the medium and long term. Experts warn that the risk is higher in adolescents and young adults, whose brains are still developing..
The habit factor: How early AI use exacerbates the impact
A key aspect of the MIT study was to analyze the sequence in which artificial intelligence is used.During a fourth experimental session, some students who hadn't initially used ChatGPT began using it, while others made the opposite change. The results were clear: Those who had first reflected on their own and then consulted AI were able to take better advantage of its capabilities. and even maintained greater mental engagement. In contrast, those who used AI from the beginning failed to fully recover their cognitive performance after stopping using it.
The scientists conclude that The moment and the way in which artificial intelligence is introduced into task resolution is decisive.. Initial use without assistance promotes knowledge retention and the development of strong cognitive skills.Incorporating AI only after personal effort can turn it into an ally that enhances creativity and learning, rather than a substitute that weakens thinking.
Impact on memory, creativity and sense of authorship
One of the most worrying neurocognitive effects documented is the decline in memory and originality.. Students who relied on ChatGPT showed more difficulty recalling their own ideas and explaining the texts they had generated. Furthermore, their output tended to lack personal nuance, creativity, and a recognizable voice. Experts in neuroscience and psychopedagogy point out that A sense of authorship and the reflective process are essential for deep learning, so delegating these phases can lead to a “homogenization” of thinking and less satisfaction with the results.
On the other hand, High-pressure work or academic contexts with mandatory AI use multiply these risks.There, the passive and routine use of technology reinforces the adverse effects on intellectual abilities, as immediate results take precedence over conscious mental processes.
Balancing technology and mental effort: proposals from the educational world
Numerous teachers, psychologists and specialists propose a model for the progressive and balanced use of artificial intelligence.. They recommend “effort first, AI later”: Start any intellectual task without external help and only use ChatGPT when you need to expand, refine, or perfect your work. This favors the consolidation of knowledge and the development of skills such as argumentation, concentration or metacognition..
The importance of is also highlighted Apply AI as a complement, not a replacementUsing it to expand ideas, resolve blockages, or seek alternative perspectives can enhance learning if you start from a foundation of your own. However, using it as the sole strategy for problem-solving or as a complete substitute for thinking makes it difficult to develop a critical and flexible mind.
Another recurring recommendation is integrate the debate on the use of AI in education from an early age, fostering critical thinking, questioning, and intellectual autonomy so that new generations learn to use technology consciously and responsibly.
Finally, dialogue between the educational community, families, and experts is considered essential before adopting AI en masse in classrooms or at work, avoiding decisions based solely on trends or the pressure to innovate without sufficient scientific evidence.
The various studies agree that the key is not to ban ChatGPT or demonize the technology, but learn to use it judiciously, preserving intellectual effort and developing human skills that no machine can fully replicate.
