Have you ever met or known anyone to respond to your questions with ChatGPT, and it's obvious as the answer is a little vague, broad, and lacks soul.
Same here
So is AI make us dumber? It’s a fair question, and researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University just put out a study on how using generative AI in the workplace can impact our critical thinking skills.
The study surveyed 319 knowledge workers—all using GenAI tools at least once a week—to understand how these tools influence critical thinking. Participants shared 936 real-world examples of using AI for tasks like content creation, information retrieval, and professional advice. Researchers then analyzed when and why they engaged in critical thinking and how their perceived cognitive effort changed when using AI.
Here’s what caught my eye:
• Critical Thinking in Action: A surprising 60% of the tasks involved some level of reflection, evaluation, or problem breakdown by humans—things we’d normally call “critical thinking.” – The other 40% of the time, people leaned heavily on AI without much double-checking, usually because they trusted the tool’s output or found the task trivial (like quick grammar checks).
• AI as a Mental Shortcut: Across different cognitive activities (like recalling facts, summarizing information, or brainstorming new angles), many participants—up to 79% in some categories—felt AI reduced the effort it took to think through a problem. – That sounds great for saving time, but it can also mean we’re not flexing certain cognitive muscles the same way we used to.
Why It Matters:
Relying on AI might make us more “efficient,” but too much dependence can weaken our ability to assess, interpret, or create on our own.
People who described themselves as more confident in their own skills tended to keep challenging the AI’s responses—think of it as using AI as a partner rather than a crutch.
Meanwhile, those who completely trusted the AI (especially for simple tasks) often skipped verifying sources or adapting the tone, missing the chance to learn or refine their own judgment.
Let’s break down the idea step by step:
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Tool Reliance and “Getting Dumber”:
When we rely heavily on a tool, any tool, our own abilities can atrophy. Take calculators, for instance: as they became widespread, mental math skills generally declined. AI is no different if we never push ourselves to reason or create on our own, we can gradually lose those skills.
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Why the Model Matters:
Not all AI is created equal. Some are trained on vast, diverse data sets and provide nuanced, context-aware responses. Others are more limited or outdated. If you’re constantly interacting with a basic or low-quality model, you’re not getting challenged to think critically. On the other hand, a more sophisticated AI can spark creativity or deeper insight by providing complex answers that force you to ask more questions.
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Shaping Intellectual Growth (or Decline):
The way an AI model responds can either reinforce superficial knowledge or encourage deeper learning. If the model spits out surface-level answers, you might not learn anything beyond that. A rich, well-trained model that gives thorough explanations can become a learning companion, pushing you to explore related concepts you might not have considered on your own.
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Personal Accountability in Learning:
Even if you’re working with the best model out there, your own mindset matters. If you take what the AI says at face value without questioning or verifying, you’re still not exercising critical thinking. Conversely, if you approach the AI’s answers with curiosity, asking for sources, cross-checking facts, or digging deeper you’re using AI as a tool to bolster your intellect rather than replace it.
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The AI “Amplifier Effect”:
AI tends to amplify what's already there. If someone is prone to lazy thinking, they’ll become lazier with AI; if someone is intellectually curious, they can become more curious by using AI to explore new ideas. So yes, the model’s capabilities shape outcomes, but so do the user’s own habits and effort.
Bottom line
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Relying too much on any AI model can lead to a decline in certain mental skills like reasoning, problem-solving, or creativity . Keep practicing them.
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A high-quality AI that provides insightful, well-rounded answers can also elevate your thinking, especially if you remain an active participant in the process by asking follow-up questions, challenging assumptions, and seeking out other sources.
