Research warns AI chatbots may impair cognitive skills and memory

Nataliya Kosmyna, a research scientist at MIT, expressed concerns about internship applicants submitting similar cover letters, indicating a potential reliance on LLMs such as ChatGPT. She noticed that students were increasingly forgetting information. In a study involving 54 students tasked with writing essays, Kosmyna and her team monitored brainwaves among groups using ChatGPT, Google search, or no technology. Findings revealed a decrease in brain activity by up to 55% in the ChatGPT group, especially in areas related to creativity and information processing. Those utilizing AI faced challenges with recall and reported a lack of ownership. A study from the University of Pennsylvania highlighted "cognitive surrender" in users. Vivienne Ming from UC Berkeley cautioned that dependence on LLMs might negatively impact cognition and creativity. Kosmyna recommended mastering subjects without AI initially to establish a solid foundation.