Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly significant role in a wide range of tasks—from drafting emails and writing code to translating languages ​​and planning trips—raising questions about whether human cognitive abilities might decline in the long term.

The emergence of generative AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT—capable of creating various types of content in response to simple, natural-language prompts—has transformed how people operate in schools, workplaces, and daily life.

Recent scientific research, though limited in scope, suggests that relying on AI to handle certain tasks may have negative repercussions for memory, decision-making, and critical thinking.

In April, a joint U.S.-British study—currently undergoing peer review—found that while using these tools to solve math problems or complete reading comprehension exercises improved participants` short-term performance, it negatively affected their long-term performance and their ability to persevere once they stopped relying on AI.

The authors of the study, which involved 1,222 participants, wrote: "These findings are deeply concerning, as perseverance is a fundamental component of skill acquisition and one of the best indicators of long-term learning." In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), the study’s lead author, Grace Liu, explained that artificial intelligence—praised for the speed with which it performs calculations—conditions people to expect an immediate answer, which "deprives them of opportunities to learn."

She added, "What is concerning is that artificial intelligence is not limited to performing a single, specific task; rather, it can be employed across a wide range of intellectual activities that rely on analysis and deduction"—unlike a calculator, which assists in solving mathematical equations but leaves the actual thinking process to the user.