Is AI making us stupid?
I hate to say it and I don't want to sound pessimistic (but it's probably happening already :D)...
with all the conveniences we have, we are so fast and unfortunately also comfortable.
Have you noticed that when using Chat GPT or AI you don't even bother to think anymore?
So I use it to get information and I think I'm learning something, but I don't know if I'm really learning anything when AI does everything for me.
It's like a modern calculator that gives you the result without you understanding the processes and structures behind the calculations.
Is AI making us stupid? How do you approach using AI so that you still can learn and "use" your brain more actively?
IMO this will be a huge thing for the next generations and kids because if they rely too much on AI, they can become either geniuses or very lazy and illiterate people.
Replies
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When you have a certain knowledge and uses AI, it is cool IMO, but when you are a kid relying completely on what "your wiser colleague says", it makes them quite incompetent and too dependable. Maybe I just do not like that feeling that thanks to AI, we can become more lazy, dependant and ?Maybe? stupid.
Great question, Nika! AI definitely changes how we think and learn. But instead of making us ‘stupid,’ maybe it’s shifting the way we engage with information—helping us focus more on decision-making rather than just data gathering.
Like with calculators, people who understand the logic behind the numbers use them as a tool, while others might just rely on the answers. The challenge (and opportunity) is in designing AI in a way that enhances human thinking instead of replacing it.
Curious how do you balance using AI for efficiency while still ensuring critical thinking stays strong?
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@goodgistai But shouldn't be aware of processes that lead us to results? I think we should know some basics how we got that calculated number.
First, I try to come up with my solutions and then I will ask AI. AI is the last resort I want to get a help from. We need to exercise our brains :)
@busmark_w_nika Absolutely, exercising our brains and applying active thinking is essential. The key is understanding where human effort adds the most value versus where automation can enhance efficiency.
Critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making?
That’s where human intuition shines.
But for highly repetitive and process-driven tasks—like invoice processing, resume screening, or handling routine email data entry—manual intervention often slows things down and introduces errors.
It’s not about replacing thought, but rather freeing up human capacity for higher-value work. AI, with human oversight, acts as a force multiplier—handling repetitive tasks while allowing teams to focus on innovation and problem-solving.
Curious to hear your thoughts where do you see the balance between automation and human involvement in workflows?
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@goodgistai Personally, I would pass tasks like administration on AI. Or tasks that are repetitive, I have that skill but do not want to do it anymore. On the other hand, I would do creative tasks without AI. Just brainstorming and learning with AI.
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@rince I am not happy to say it but I also noticed patterns of to be more comfortable to get a result instead of thinking on my own.
I completely believe so and I think about this a lot. I have been coding before AI and went to school for it and coded professionally. I realized since AI came out I can do more and produce more but I learn less and understand less . one example is that I recently went back to the fundamental and I realized how hard it was for me to code the binary search solution in python from scratch without AI. It has gotten so bad that I use AI for most things like even replying to an email and now it is so hard to even write out an email respond without AI. Forget coding I am now relying on AI to write basic english for me. This comment was entirely written by me with no AI and it was a struggle to say the least
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@a4ibrahi That's what I am talking about, when you already have a knowledge, you know how things work and you can forget them. But let's take people who have 0% knowledge and rely on AI completely. Such people may not even have a way to question AI.
Equip AI Interview
I'm a solo marketer. My answer to that question is yes and no. Here's how I use AI in my day-to-day work:
1. Brainstorming content ideas: I love reading good content. Whenever it matters (i.e. not boring blogs or emails), I write specific prompts with my ideas and then build upon it based on the responses. Sometimes, I do not like the AI generated responses at all and I stick with what I have.
2. Skipping tutorials and documentation: While working with new tools, instead of going through the entire document, I ask specific answers to help me get ahead quickly.
3. Writing code: I'm not a developer. But I designed and built an entire landing page concept using AI today before I hand it off to a dev! I wouldn't have imagined completing this task independently to the extent I did and the speed at which I did without AI.
There are times when I pause and think, "Geez, how did I ever work without AI?" But I'm cognisant of the fact that AI agents can soon take over the world and no matter how many people claim we will be working along side them, they might replace many jobs. It's scary but I try to use my judgement wherever possible to stimulate my brain, think and make my work fun. There have been times where I have generated content by prompting over and over again without refining it much because I was unfamiliar with the subject. It can get boring too soon.
I have realised that I do not rely on my memory as much. I would remember Google Sheet formulae well earlier. Now, I just don't bother remembering them and ask ChatGPT to do it for me. I don't mind that at all.
Funny that you mentioned a calculator. I used to be the kid who was excellent at performing arithmetic operations mentally but reached for a paper to solve 25x51 two days ago. Wouldn't ever want to feel that handicapped by day-to-day use of AI.
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@aishwaryalohi Wow, you totally reflecting on my life when I had to count 9 x 6 with a calculator. That's a shame :D but I do use AI the same way as you.
And sometimes it bothers me because I feel that laziness and comfort are overweighing my efforts. 🙈
The movie idiocracy is predicting a grim future :)
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@dimatri + Don't look up :D
I feel like this is no different than when cellphones/smartphones came around. When I was a teenager, I could rattle off dozens of different phone numbers. Now I can barely remember my own. Does this mean I'm dumber or that I simply use my brain power to focus on other things?
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@shant_hambarsoumian yes, this is also a struggle I have atm :D telephone numbers :D
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@shant_hambarsoumian Good analogy btw :)
Yes, definitely. Despite its undeniable benefits for productivity, AI makes people lazy and less thoughtful. It’s especially concerning for the younger generation.
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@elenat That puts the question how to educate them.
InterviewJam
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@mayaa17 Hope that we somehow sort it out and not will end up like the movie Idiocracy :D
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Well this is the case with all tech. We cease to focus our brain on things that can be outsourced to tech. Map reading, simple math, spelling...all something for tech to do for us
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@nick_stein2 I think we have more time and can use it for something useful... but there is a little people with this mindset.