CWe Google names and dates as soon as we realize we don’t remember them. We ask ChatGpt to write emails and texts for us and Claude to read that long essay for us, and give us a summary. In other words, we constantly delegate operations, and increasingly complex ones. Several studies link the habitual use of technological tools – and artificial intelligence in particular – to laziness, anxiety, lower critical thinking skills and feelings of dependency. However, the problem may be in how we use AI, rather than whether we use it at all. The question is not whether or not we rely on external sources – we have done it constantly and always. The important thing is maintain control over what we choose to delegate and why. In other words, the fastest, easiest, simplest option isn’t always the best. And it might behoove us to prefer a little hard work.
What happens to the brain if we use artificial intelligence too much
He explains it in this article on The Conversation Misia Temler, researcher at the University of Sydney. Our ability to think depends on three fundamental tasks: encoding information (assimilating it so the brain can process it), storing it and retrieving it. Our mind prefers to focus on encoding information, sacrificing storage and retrieval, which are more demanding. But delegating these two functions to external sources – asking ChatGPT any question we can think of – can have an impact on our critical thinking skills.
This is because the knowledge acquired actively interacts with the information just encoded in our mind: we convert the information we encounter into a way that makes sense to us. And the more knowledge we possess, the greater our ability to encode and critically interpret new information.
So, what to do? Nobody imagines giving up technology and AI. It would be enough to continue carrying out the more complex cognitive tasks ourselves, rather than delegating them whenever it suits us.
Are we used to the navigator, do we still know how to orient ourselves with geographical maps? (Getty Images)
Delegate to ChatGPT? Yes, but without losing control
Also Kathryn Jezer-Morton on The Cut the same question arose. He gave a label to the possible solution: «maximize friction». Reintroduce challenges into everyday life can get us used to the experience of discomfort – contained! – and, consequently, make us more… human. More protagonists of the things we do
A life without hitches, also explains this piece, full of contributions, by Washington Postmay not be the best fit for cognitive function in the long run.
What do we lose if we stop putting in the mental effort?
The virtual world is structured to dish out quick rewards that give us instant gratification, whether it’s easy entertainment while scrolling through social media or a perfectly written text message from Claude. «The platforms have invested a lot of money in understanding how to keep us in this state of well-being», explains Emily Falk, professor of communications, psychology, marketing and operations, information technology and decision making at the University of Pennsylvania and author of What We Value”.
But brain functions like learning, memory and focused attention are “use it or lose it,” explains Marc Milstein, author of “The Age-Proof Brain” and host of the podcast The Best of Your Brain. If you don’t regularly stimulate your brain to learn, remember or pay attentionhe explained, qThese capabilities may deteriorate.
Remedies to cognitive offloading
A 2011 study already suggested, for example, that people who rely on Google to find answers have a lower memorization capacity. But things got worse over time. And other studies have shown that the so-called “cognitive offloading”, that is, using tools to reduce one’s cognitive load could compromise one’s ability to engage in deep reflection.
The good news is that even though the neural pathways in the brain that don’t require friction are well established, simple steps can be taken to change them. And it is certainly not necessary to always complicate your life, for example by giving up technology and artificial intelligence. To keep your brain healthy, all you need to do is insert a few well-studied “moments of friction” into your day. If face complex challengeslike learning new things, helps keep your brain young as you age. it can be useful to everyone. And to have a more meaningful life, as well as to safeguard cognitive abilities.
How to train your brain in the digital age: strategies for using artificial intelligence without losing autonomy
For example..
1. Do puzzles and games that you’re not good at. If Sudoku comes easy to you, try a word game.
2. Learn something new: like a game, a language, or even a new training method. In addition to creating new connections in the brain, Milstein explains, these challenges facilitate the release ofnorepinephrine hormonewhich helps improve concentration and promote learning.
3. Cook a special dish. Even just one or two evenings a week look for a new recipe, go shopping and follow the steps to prepare the meal can create significant connections in the brain. And while you’re eating, keep the phone away.
4. Meet a friend in person. But instead of texting or emailing, call and arrange. AND reach your destination by remembering the way without navigator.
5. Don’t look for the answer. Accepting the feeling that you need to take time to remember.
«People tend to think of difficulty as something negativebut you can also see it as an intention,” agrees Falk. “Difficulty can be positive if it pushes us to take a step back and think about how we want to live life.”
