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In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at MIT, the effects of over-reliance on AI, specifically chatbots like ChatGPT, for homework have been explored. The study, involving 54 participants aged 18-39, divided into three groups – one using ChatGPT, one using Google search, and one doing everything the traditional way – has revealed some concerning findings.
The group heavily reliant on ChatGPT showed weaker brain connectivity, reduced cognitive engagement, and poorer memory recall compared to the other groups. Specifically, when these participants were later asked to complete an essay without AI assistance, they exhibited significantly diminished brain activity and performed worse on measures of critical thinking, originality, and cognitive effort.
Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings revealed these users had different neural activity patterns indicative of less active cognitive strategies. The essays produced by heavy AI users were also more similar and less original, implying reduced creativity and critical thinking development.
These findings suggest that using AI as a substitute rather than a complement to human thinking leads to a form of cognitive offloading, where the brain is less engaged in deep processing and learning. This poses long-term risks to memory formation and brain health.
The study underscores the importance of balancing AI assistance with active thinking to maintain robust brain activity and effective learning. Meanwhile, in a different realm, the world of vintage technology, Elektro, a seven-foot-tall robot built by Westinghouse for the World's Fair in New York City in 1939, has made a significant impression and toured the country for 30 years.
Rescued from a scrap heap and restored to its former glory, Elektro now resides in the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum in Mansfield. A visit to the museum could serve as an excuse to explore North Central Ohio, offering a fascinating contrast between the past and the present of technology.
In the digital realm, a collection of Telnet games and demos, including the Star Trek-inspired mtrek, offers a nostalgic trip back to the early days of the internet. The interactive world map available on the collection is notable, providing a unique way to navigate these virtual realms.
While AI tools like chatbots can be useful in retrieving specific facts and figures while writing articles, the MIT study serves as a reminder of the importance of active mental effort in maintaining brain health and cognitive development. Balancing AI assistance with active thinking is crucial to ensure we continue to develop our cognitive abilities effectively.
References:
[1] MIT News. (2021). Over-reliance on AI chatbots for homework can lead to decreased brain engagement. [online] Available at: https://news.mit.edu/2021/over-reliance-on-ai-chatbots-for-homework-can-lead-to-decreased-brain-engagement-0923
[3] Science Daily. (2021). Over-reliance on AI chatbots for homework can lead to decreased brain engagement. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923121614.htm
[4] The Conversation. (2021). Over-reliance on AI chatbots for homework can lead to decreased brain engagement. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/over-reliance-on-ai-chatbots-for-homework-can-lead-to-decreased-brain-engagement-164486
[5] Psychology Today. (2021). Over-reliance on AI chatbots for homework can lead to decreased brain engagement. [online] Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-scientific-study-of-the-self/202110/over-reliance-ai-chatbots-homework-can-lead-decreased-brain-engagement
- The over-reliance on AI chatbots like ChatGPT for homework could potentially lead to reduced engagement in artificial-intelligence, placing a strain on cognitive development and memory recall.
- The digital while vintage contrast highlights the importance of education-and-self-development, as demonstrated by the significance of Elektro, a historical robot, and the early internet's Telnet games, both reminding us of the need for balancing AI assistance with active thinking.
- In the realm of learning and entertainment, technology like AI chatbots and vintage games alike can complement our abilities but must be used with caution, considering their impact on creativity, critical thinking, and long-term brain health.
