3 Ways Gen AI is Making Us Dumber (And What to Do About It) 🤖🧠
- Jentz Tan
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and MidJourney are revolutionizing the way we work, create, and think. These powerful tools can draft essays, solve complex problems, and design stunning artwork in seconds.
However, this remarkable capability raises an important question:
Is AI making us dumber?
While the potential of AI is undoubtedly impressive, it is crucial to evaluate how these tools might influence our cognitive abilities.
3 Reasons why Generative AI might be hindering our Intellectual Development
We Are Losing Our Critical Thinking Skills
Generative AI delivers answers with lightning speed and convincing authority, making it all too easy to accept them without scrutiny. This dependence can undermine our ability to:
Analyze: Are the outputs accurate, logical, and free from bias?
Evaluate: How does this information compare with other credible sources?
Debate: What alternative viewpoints or solutions can be considered?
When we stop questioning the information presented to us, we risk becoming passive consumers of AI outputs instead of engaged, independent thinkers.
How to Counteract It:
Treat AI-generated content as a starting point, not the ultimate answer.
Regularly practice analyzing, critiquing, and refining what AI presents.
Our Creativity Is Suffering
AI has the ability to generate an endless stream of creative ideas, whether for writing, design, or brainstorming. While this is a significant advantage, it can also limit our time spent on:
Exploring original ideas.
Overcoming creative blocks.
Developing unique solutions through experimentation.
Creativity is not just about the end product; it encompasses the entire process of creating, which AI shortcuts.
How to Counteract It:
Challenge yourself to create without AI support on occasion. Write, brainstorm, or design independently.
Use AI as a companion. Allow them to expand and highlight your personal and individual creativity, and do not allow them to limit you. As the world moves more and more into reliance on AI, we will see more and more homogenous outputs - you can easily circumvent that by infusing a little of yourself into the work you do
Our Memory and Problem-Solving Skills Are Declining
With AI and search engines at our fingertips, the need to remember information or work through problems step-by-step is diminishing. This convenience can erode the neural pathways associated with:
Memory Retention: Why remember facts when you can easily “Google it”?
Logical Reasoning: Why struggle with problem-solving when AI can handle it for you?
The "Google Effect," as outlined by Sparrow et al. (2011), shows that knowing the information is readily accessible reduces our motivation to memorize it independently. Over time, this lack of mental effort can impair our cognitive capabilities.
How to Counteract It:
Practice recalling facts or solving problems independently before turning to AI for help.
Engage in puzzles or strategy games to strengthen your memory and reasoning skills.
Is AI Making Us Dumber?
Generative AI is not inherently detrimental; it matters how we wield it. If we rely on AI for every task, we will inevitably become passive and less capable thinkers. On the other hand, when we use AI judiciously, it can free us to concentrate on higher-level thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Take Action to Stay Sharp
Question AI Output: Always analyze, evaluate, and refine what AI provides.
Challenge Yourself: Consistently engage in creative and problem-solving exercises without AI.
Stay Curious: Pursue knowledge and exploration beyond AI-generated answers.
The future will belong to those who can effectively balance the efficiency of AI with their cognitive discipline. Don’t allow generative AI to dull your edge - embrace it as a tool that sharpens your creativity, adaptability, and intellect.
[About the Author]
Jentz has a deep background in innovation and design across Europe and Malaysia. Committed to enhancing design practices, Jentz aims to help position Malaysia as a hub for creative and impactful solutions. Join him in exploring the potential of design thinking to tackle immediate challenges and inspire transformative change and innovation.