Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become part of our daily life—reshaping how we learn, work and seek information online.
From essay writing to research, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overview now provide quick answers that once required active effort. But as reliance on AI grows, researchers are starting to ask a deeper question: Is AI use changing the way our brains think?
Research about Cognitive Function
Recent studies suggest that heavy use of AI tools might negatively impact critical thinking skills, though the effect seems to depend on how and why we use them. Media scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently explored this in a paper titled “Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task.”
In this experiment, 54 adults aged 18 to 39 were asked to write four essays over four months. Participants were divided into three groups:
- One used ChatGPT,
- Another used a search engine (like Google or Yahoo!),
- And the last used no digital assistance—just their own brains.
During the first three essays, researchers observed that participants who relied on ChatGPT showed lower electrical connectivity in their brains compared to the other groups. Those using search engines also showed reduced activity, but not as significantly as the ChatGPT users.
These findings hint that over-reliance on AI might create what researchers call ‘cognitive debt‘—a mental state where the brain becomes less engaged when AI takes over complex thinking tasks.
Cognitive Offloading and the Risk to Critical Thinking
MIT’s study is part of a growing body of research linking AI use to changes in cognitive habits. A 2025 study on AI use and critical thinking found that people—especially younger adults between 17 and 25—who frequently depend on AI tools show signs of reduced independent problem-solving. This phenomenon is called cognitive offloading, meaning we rely on machines to think for us instead of engaging in deeper mental processes ourselves.
Another 2025 study identified three ways AI might shift users from active critical thinking to passive understanding:
- Recall and comprehension — moving from gathering information to merely verifying AI’s responses.
- Application — relying on AI to execute problem-solving instead of doing it manually.
- Analysis and evaluation — allowing AI to synthesize ideas rather than doing it independently.
Potential Long-Term Effects of Overusing AI
A 2024 research review further warned that excessive dependence on AI for analytical or creative tasks may result in:
- Reduced mental engagement and motivation,
- Neglect of essential cognitive skills, like calculation or recall,
- Memory decline and shorter attention spans,
- Difficulty applying knowledge in new contexts,
- Ethical and social issues, such as less human interaction,
- And even lower self-confidence and increased isolation.
While these findings don’t prove a direct cause, they reveal strong associations between heavy AI use and a decline in cognitive depth.
How to Use AI Without Losing Critical Thinking Skills
Avoiding AI entirely isn’t realistic—nor is it necessary. Many workplaces and schools now encourage AI-assisted productivity, and when used wisely, it can boost creativity and efficiency. The key lies in how you use it.
Ask yourself:
- Do you let AI verify information instead of finding and understanding sources on your own?
- Do you ask AI to generate solutions rather than problem-solving independently?
- Do you depend on AI to analyze or compare ideas that you could reason through yourself?
If you often answer ‘yes’ you may be slipping from active to passive thinking. Recognizing this shift is the first step in maintaining mental engagement while using AI.
AI as a Thinking Partner, Not a Replacement
Emerging evidence suggests that AI can both hinder and enhance thinking—depending on how it’s used. When approached as a collaborative tool rather than a shortcut, AI can actually stimulate curiosity, inspire creativity, and streamline workflows.
Treat AI as a thinking partner – not a replacement for your own reasoning. Stay curious, verify information independently, and continue exercising your brain’s problem-solving muscles. As this field of research evolves, one thing remains clear: the healthiest relationship with AI is one where humans remain in the driver’s seat of thought.
FAQs on AI Affecting Brain Performance
1) Does using ChatGPT reduce critical thinking skills?
Research suggests that frequent reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT may lower brain engagement during complex tasks, such as writing or problem-solving.
2) How can I use use AI without becoming too dependent on it?
You can use AI responsibly by treating it as a ‘thinking partner‘, not a replacement. Before turning to AI, try to analyze, research, or solve problems yourself.
3) What are the potential long-term effects of overusing AI on the brain?
Over-reliance on AI may lead to reduced memory capacity, shorter attention spans, lower motivation, and decreased independent problem-solving abilities. It may also cause social issues like isolation or lower self-confidence.
