Your Brain on ChatGPT

Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task is MIT's latest study on the cognitive consequences of using AI assistants when writing.

As ChatGPT became the fastest growing app in history, students and professionals alike started relying on it for writing tasks. The convenience of AI-generated content is undeniable, but what does it do to our brains?

The Study

Participants were divided into three groups and asked to write an essay on a given topic:

1. LLM Group: Used a Large Language Model (like OpenAI's ChatGPT) to assist in writing.
2. Search Engine Group: Used a traditional search engine to gather information.
3. Brain-only Group: Wrote the essay without any digital assistance.

Brain activity was monitored using EEG, in order to observe neural connectivity and cognitive engagement during the task. When the essays were completed, participants were asked to recall what they had produced.

Results showed that the Brain-only Group formed highly connected neural networks, indicating strong cognitive engagement. They had no issues recalling their essays and could quote them accurately.

The Search Engine Group also showed decent neural connectivity, as they had to actively engage with the information they found. They could recall their essays but with less accuracy than the Brain-only Group.

The LLM Group, however, exhibited the weakest neural connectivity. Their essays were generated with ease, but they struggled to recall or quote their own work. Reliance on AI tools diminished their cognitive engagement and understanding of the material.

Cognitive Engagement

Writing a piece of text requires an active engagement of the brain. Linking various concepts and forming coherent arguments demands mental effort and focus.

Using AI tools distances us from our work.

Naturally, much of today's work is artificial. That is the reason to why it often feels meaningless. Humans are meant for much more than punching in numbers in a spreadsheet.

Consciousness is tied to our soul; the essence of our being. Pouring that consciousness as thoughts into a text is humanity's most marvelous achievement. Skipping that process by using AI tools is merely a distraction from one's true potential. So take a moment to find it.

Cognitive Debt

The scariest part of the study is the concept of cognitive debt. Participants who initially used LLMs and were then asked to write without tools showed weaker neural connectivity and reduced cognitive engagement in subsequent tasks.

In other words, previous reliance on AI led to a diminished capacity for independent thought and cognitive effort. The brain becomes accustomed to the ease of AI assistance, leading to a decline in its own active processing abilities.

Similar to how a muscle weakens when not used, the brain's cognitive abilities can wane when we rely too heavily on AI tools. Cognitive debt accumulates over time, making it harder to engage in deep thinking and creative problem-solving.

The Solution

Fortunately, solving this issue is simple. Avoiding cognitive debt requires a return to active engagement with our thoughts and ideas. Please, reconnect with your mind and its capabilities by practicing the following:

1. Limit AI use: Use AI tools sparingly. Do not rely on them for any tasks that require deep thinking.
2. Practice mindfulness: Meditate. Pray. Focus on being present with your thoughts and feelings.
3. Read physical books: Get your eyes off the screen and read physical books. I highly recommend Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, which are great starting points for the philosophy of this blog.
4. Write by hand: Write by hand from time to time. Develop your handwriting and feel each stroke of the pen forming words on paper.
5. Reflect on your philosophy: Take time to think about your beliefs, values, and ideas. Why do you believe what you believe? What is your purpose and mission in life? Explore and question these concepts deeply.
6. Engage in discussions: Discuss your thoughts with others. Have deep conversations with friends, family, or colleagues. If you do not have anyone to talk to - find new friends. In the real world, not online.

Most people are at high risk of cognitive debt. The efficiency of AI tools is tempting, but it comes at a cost. Losing the ability to think deeply and creatively is a price way too high to pay.