Is AI making us stupid?
TL;DR: Yes, it is.
Today we're discussing the MIT study "Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task", which can be found here:
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872
This study investigated the cognitive impact of using Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, traditional search engines, or no tools at all on essay writing tasks. Fifty-four participants were divided into three groups—LLM, Search Engine, and Brain-only—for three sessions, with a fourth session involving group swaps to assess adaptation. Researchers measured brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG), performed natural language processing (NLP) analysis on essays, and conducted post-session interviews to understand neural engagement, linguistic patterns, and participants' perceived ownership and satisfaction.
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