The contribution “Decay of cognitive skills”: Artificial intelligence can make us stupid by Maria Gramsch first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
The advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence are hotly discussed in business and science. A new Microsoft study has now come to the conclusion that AI makes people stupid. The background.
The use of AI tools has increased enormously in recent years. One Survey from 2024 has shown that around 60 percent of the German generative AI uses at least one to several times a month.
Already six percent of people in Germany even apply AI tools every day. Chatgpt, Gemini and Co. uses around a fifth several times a week.
However, while artificial intelligence are able to simplify tasks in everyday life or to accelerate their implementation, use can also have negative consequences. That shows a new one Study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in the US state of Pennsylvania.
Does artificial intelligence do stupid?
For their investigation, the researchers asked 319 knowledge workers to fill a questionnaire about their use of generative AI. Among other things, it was asked which tools and prompts they use.
Satisfaction with the output of the AI tools also played a role. For example, the subjects should make statements about how confident they are that a AI tool can cope with the specific work task. The scientists have also asked whether the test subjects feel able to do the same work without AI tools.
The evaluation of the investigation shows that those who trust the results of the AI showed more critical thinking. This also resulted in more confidence in one’s own skills. Conversely, this means that the more people trust the results of a AI.
“The data show a shift in cognitive effort, since knowledge workers increasingly pass from the task of the task for monitoring when using Genai,” the paper says. “Surprisingly, AI can improve efficiency, but also reduce critical commitment, especially for routine tasks or tasks with less risk, in which users simply rely on the AI, which makes concerns about long -term dependency and a reduced independent problem solving. “
AI reduces critical thinking
According to the researchers, the acceptance or shift in critical thinking leads to a “decay of cognitive skills”. Through automation, people lose essential skills in thinking.
The irony of automation is that the mechanization of routine tasks and the transfer of dealing with exceptions to the human user no longer has the opportunity to train his judgment and to strengthen his cognitive muscles, so that he is stunted and unprepared Exceptions occur.
The study authors were therefore before an “improper use” of AI tools. “Generative AI tools are the youngest in a long series of technologies that raise questions about their effects on the quality of human thinking,” the researchers write.
Among other things, they also list the book pressure and the calculator as such technological advances that were initially criticized. The proper application of these tools is important so that there is no deterioration in cognitive skills.
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The contribution “Decay of cognitive skills”: Artificial intelligence can make us stupid by Maria Gramsch first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the fall in cognitive skills, particularly in terms of memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving, is a real concern in today’s society. While artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance our productivity and efficiency, there is a growing concern that it may also lead to a decline in our cognitive abilities.
One of the reasons for this is the reliance on AI to perform tasks that were once done by humans, such as information retrieval and decision-making. This can lead to a decrease in our ability to think critically and creatively, as we become more dependent on technology to do the thinking for us.
Additionally, the constant access to information through technology has been shown to have a negative impact on our memory retention and ability to focus. With the ability to quickly look up any information we need, we are less likely to commit it to memory or engage in deep, focused thinking.
Furthermore, the use of AI algorithms to personalize our online experiences can also limit our exposure to diverse viewpoints and ideas, leading to a narrowing of our perspectives and a decrease in our ability to think critically about complex issues.
Overall, while artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the way we work and live, it is important to be mindful of its potential negative impacts on our cognitive skills. It is essential that we continue to prioritize and develop our cognitive abilities through activities such as critical thinking exercises, problem-solving challenges, and limiting our reliance on technology for simple tasks.
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