I knew AI was no good at writing quality copy, but I had no idea that using it could also be destroying our actual brains…
A study this week by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) found dramatically reduced brain connectivity when people use ChatGPT for essay writing. It even impacts people afterwards, when they then try to write without using AI. And here’s the kicker -most people in the study had no idea their thinking was even being impacted.
The headline news
Brain connectivity systematically scaled down with the amount of external support. Over the course of 4 months, those using AI performed worse than their counterparts (who were using only their brains) at all levels: neural, linguistic, and scoring
Collectively, these findings support the view that external support tools restructure not only task performance but also the underlying cognitive architecture….We believe that the longitudinal studies are needed in order to understand the long-term impact of LLMs [Large Language Models – AI] on the human brain, before they’re recognised as something that is net positive for the humans.
The research – Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant – is eye-opening to say the least. Are you surprised by the findings? Will this bombshell change how you use AI for writing?
Use AI to help, not hinder your brain!
There are ways to use AI tools that enhance your thinking — I’ve been testing lots over the past year. So if you want to learn some useful ways to harness AI to help your brain, rather than hinder it, book a 1:1 session with me.
Get your AI for Content Power Hour for £149.
And if there’s anything else you need help with in the realms of website content, digital marketing or copywriting, let me know!
