A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab has raised significant concerns about the cognitive effects of using artificial intelligence tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The research, which is currently in preprint, suggests that frequent reliance on generative AI for tasks like writing may lead to a measurable decline in brain activity, reduced memory retention, and weaker independent thinking — ultimately resulting in what researchers call “cognitive debt.”
The Experiment: AI vs. Human Brainpower
To evaluate how ChatGPT use affects cognition, the MIT researchers designed a controlled experiment involving three groups of participants. Each group was assigned the same task: to write an essay. One group was instructed to complete the task using ChatGPT; another used a traditional internet search engine; and the third group wrote the essay unaided, using only their own knowledge and reasoning. During the task, participants’ brain activity was recorded using electroencephalogram (EEG) scans.
The differences were stark. The ChatGPT group exhibited the lowest neural activity in regions of the brain associated with memory, attention, and reasoning. These participants also struggled to recall the contents of their essays when asked, suggesting not just lower engagement during the writing task, but also a lack of information retention afterward. In contrast, the group that used no tools showed high levels of cognitive engagement and significantly better memory recall.
Long-Term Effects and Second-Round Testing
In a follow-up session, all participants were asked to complete the same essay task again—this time without any external assistance. Once again, the results highlighted potential long-term cognitive drawbacks of AI use. Participants who had previously relied on ChatGPT performed significantly worse, producing essays that evaluators described as “biased and superficial.” These participants also reported feeling less connected to their work and struggled to quote or explain what they had written.
This led the researchers to conclude that the use of ChatGPT and similar tools may create a kind of “cognitive debt.” This refers to the diminished ability to perform intellectual tasks independently, especially over time. If people habitually rely on AI to think or create for them, they may gradually lose their ability to critically evaluate information, generate original ideas, or make informed decisions. The study warns this could make users more susceptible to misinformation, manipulation, and intellectual stagnation.
Deeper Psychological Concerns
The study also highlights the psychological risks of uncritically adopting AI-generated content. When users copy suggestions from a model like ChatGPT without evaluating their accuracy or relevance, they are likely to internalize shallow or even biased perspectives, the authors note. This not only diminishes the user’s intellectual autonomy, but also reduces their emotional investment in their own work.
Interestingly, EEG scans showed that participants who relied solely on their own thinking had not only more brain activity, but also greater connectivity between different regions of the brain. These individuals were better able to recall and discuss their essays afterward, reported higher satisfaction with their work, and demonstrated a greater sense of ownership over the creative process.
Implications for the Future
The researchers behind the study do not suggest that ChatGPT and other generative AI tools should be abandoned. Instead, they emphasize the urgent need for more research into how these tools affect brain development, learning, and cognition. “Before we declare LLMs a net positive for humanity,” the authors write, “we must investigate the full impact on human thought and creativity.”
Their findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that while AI can be a powerful aid, overdependence may come at the cost of critical cognitive functions. In a world increasingly shaped by digital tools, the researchers argue, maintaining and cultivating human thinking skills should be a top priority — especially in education and creative industries.
Prepared by Navruzakhon Burieva
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