Warning: risk of getting dumber! Is AI making us less intelligent?

In an MIT study, participants were asked to write an essay—once without assistance, once using search engines, and once with AI tools like ChatGPT. During the task, their brains were scanned (cf. Kosmyna et al., 2025).

Participants who used AI were able to complete the task 60% faster. However, their brain activity decreased by 47% compared to the other groups—and 83% of them could not even recall a single sentence they had written.

The use of AI leads to what is known as cognitive offloading—where people outsource memory and problem-solving tasks to technology.

This is not new. As early as 2011, the term “Google effect” emerged: when information is always available, we no longer store it in our memory.

While this frees up mental resources for other tasks, excessive dependence can impair our ability to think critically. Scientists describe this as “cognitive atrophy”—our cognitive abilities decline due to lack of use. The principle is simple: the more frequently people rely on AI, the weaker they tend to perform in critical thinking (cf. Gerlich, 2025).

So what do these insights actually mean?

1. Don’t panic.

Every new technology comes with advantages and disadvantages. A look at history shows this clearly: even in 1972, 70% of teachers were against the use of calculators, and the invention of computers was initially associated with the “dumbing down” of humanity. Fear of change should not guide our actions.

2. Let AI support you—but don’t let it do your thinking.

“Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master.” (Ch. Lange)

In the MIT study, the participants who performed best were those who initially worked independently—writing their essays without assistance—and only used AI in a second step to refine and improve them.

I also never let AI write my posts. The idea, the core arguments, and the first draft always come from me. Only afterwards do I occasionally use AI to enrich the text with additional arguments or facts.

3. Use it or lose it!

Too much cognitive offloading breeds complacency. Leadership thrives on empathy, perspective-taking, and the ability to create meaning. But those who outsource everything weaken exactly the “muscles” they need as leaders.

The same applies to teams. New ideas emerge through friction and diversity.
But when everyone outsources their initial thinking to AI, group discussions quickly converge toward “average” answers—and collaboration turns into a rational, detached execution of tasks. Consensus may come faster, but depth, emotion, and creativity are lost.

The decisive question is: do you control your AI—or does it control you?