MIT Study Warns of Cognitive Decline from Over-Reliance on ChatGPT

Artificial intelligence may be advancing, but human cognition could be paying the price. A recent MIT study reveals that heavy dependence on ChatGPT correlates with reduced cognitive effort, diminished brain activity, and impaired memory retention. The research suggests that outsourcing mental labor to AI might lead to intellectual complacency.

In a controlled experiment, 54 participants wore EEG headsets while composing SAT-style essays. Those using ChatGPT exhibited significantly lower neural engagement compared to groups using Google Search or relying solely on their own reasoning. The AI-assisted cohort showed suppressed activity in brain regions associated with memory, logic, and executive function.

The findings underscore a paradox of technological convenience: while tools like ChatGPT offer efficiency, they may erode the very cognitive capacities they're meant to augment. The study serves as a cautionary note for an increasingly AI-dependent society.