Artificial intelligence has quickly become a part of our everyday lives, whether we're using it at work or for our personal searches. Research shows that nearly 40% of U.S. adults ages 18-64 use AI to some degree, while 1 in 3 state they use it everyday.

However, another study shows that around 64% of Americans use products with AI without even realizing it. So even if you think you're not part of the percentage that uses AI on a daily basis, you could be mistaken.

Whether you're using it intentionally or unitentionally, one thing is for certain: it's everywhere, and it's not going away. While AI has been innovative for the world of medicine, tech, and more, it can be concerning how this technology is affecting us and our brains.

Is AI Reducing Our Brain Activity?

ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other chatbots are great tools for a lot of things from researching to writing to creating. I use it on a daily basis not just at work but in my personal life. The other day I had it help me write a difficult text to my sister, and a few weeks ago I had it help me write a good luck message to my niece in a play.

Initially, I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. I was being efficient and making sure I hit all my points. Until I read a study that made me think a little differently.

Brain Activity Test Reveals the Answer

A study done by MIT's Media Lab took 54 volunteers, split them into three groups, hooked them to EEG sensors to record their brainwaves, and asked them to write an essay.

Group 1 was instructed to write an essay without any help, group 2 was asked to use a search engine to find information, and group 3 used ChatGPT to assist them.

The largest distinction of brain waves was seen between group 1 and group 3. Group 3 showed the lowest level of brain activity, with 55% less than group 1. Group 2 fell in the middle of the others.

In addition to less brain activity, group 3 also seemed to struggle with memory. At least 83% of group 3 could not remember even one sentence from their essay just minutes after writing it. And only about 11% of group 1 had difficulty remembering what they wrote.

Researchers also found that it wasn't just in the moment that group 3 struggled. Later, they were asked to write an essay without AI, and their brains revealed less effort and coordination compared to groups that wrote without AI the entire time. They also were using similar words and phrasing that ChatGPT generates.

The study deemed this phenomenon as "Cognitive Debt". The idea is that we're essentially borrowing for our future cognitive abilities for the sake of convenience now. At the time, we save mental effort, but we end up with a "debt" to pay. Skills like critical thinking, creativity, and resisting manipulation could be impacted.

Other Potential Negative Impacts of AI

Aside from this ChatGPT brain study, Americans have shown concern for how AI could be more harmful than helpful.

• 72% believe it will negatively impact the spread of false information.

• 64% believe it will negatively impact social connections between people.

• 60% believe it will negatively impact job opportunities in the U.S.

• 56% believe it will negatively impact U.S. national security.

• 26% believe it will negatively impact medical diagnosis and treatment, however 61% believe it will have a positive impact here.

AI is Not the Enemy, It's a Tool

Before you go throwing your computer away, remember that AI is a helpful tool that can make our lives easier. But that's what it should be treated as - a tool and not a replacement for our minds.

It's a similar concept as using a calculator to do math. It saves us time and effort, but that doesn't mean we should cut math classes out of schools. Never forget that your brain is a muscle that needs to be used, trained, and strengthened. AI is just here to help.