A recent study has raised concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on human cognitive abilities, revealing that individuals who rely heavily on AI tools in their work may experience a decline in their intellectual engagement. The research, conducted by American software giant Microsoft, the developer of the AI system ‘Copilot AI,’ suggests that workers often take the path of least resistance, allowing AI to think for them rather than engaging in complex problem-solving themselves.
The study surveyed over 300 professionals in knowledge-based roles and examined more than 900 instances of AI usage in the workplace. The findings indicated a noticeable decline in cognitive effort among many respondents, highlighting a shift in how AI is integrated into daily tasks.
Declining Cognitive Engagement
Set to be officially presented at the ‘Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems’ in Yokohama, Japan, from 26 April to 1 May, the study warns that “improper use of technology can lead to cognitive decline, which must be safeguarded against.”
In other words, excessive reliance on AI tools may cause individuals to abandon intellectually demanding tasks such as strategic planning and problem-solving, instead confining their roles to routine activities like verifying AI-generated outputs.
Researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University analysed responses from workers who used AI-powered applications, including ChatGPT, for tasks such as composing emails for their supervisors or evaluating colleagues’ performance. The study concluded that “generative AI has transformed critical thinking into a process of mere information verification, answer integration, and task management.”
