Using ChatGPT too much can reduce brain activity

As millions of students around the world use AI tools to aid their learning, a recent study published by the MIT Media Lab raises questions about the "cognitive price" users may pay when relying on large language models like ChatGPT, according to the Telegraph.

AI helps speed things up but can make users... think slowly

The study monitored the electrical activity (EEG) of 54 students as they wrote essays, dividing them into three groups: one group used ChatGPT, one group used Google to search for information, and the last group wrote entirely on their own, without outside assistance.

The results showed that ChatGPT users showed poorer memory, lower brain activity, and weaker mental engagement than the other two groups.

“Over the course of the four-month study, participants in the ChatGPT group performed worse on all levels: neurological, language, and grades,” the team noted.

In contrast, the group that did not use any tools had more active brain activity and came up with more creative ideas. The group that used Google showed average levels of engagement.

Convenience at the expense of thinking ability?

Scientists say that using AI to assist with essay writing may initially save students time and effort. However, in the long run, this convenience reduces users' ability to critically evaluate information and content generated by AI.

This can lead to an “echo chamber effect” where users are only exposed to algorithmically personalized ideas and no longer actively verify information, making them susceptible to being led or limited in their perspective.

“Rather than disappearing, echo chambers have adapted to shape how users interact with the world through AI-curated content. What is considered ‘best’ may be influenced by the interests of the parties that own the model,” the study warns.

As AI becomes increasingly present in education , the study warns that relying solely on AI could undermine critical thinking, creativity, and self-learning—all of which are key skills for future generations.

Experts recommend developing guidelines and frameworks for the controlled use of AI in education, encouraging students to use AI as a support tool, not a thinking crutch.