In a world increasingly dependent on AI assistants, a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has thrown a cautionary flag. The research, published in Nature Human Behaviour, warns of a phenomenon called “cognitive debt”—a mental toll incurred by users who consistently rely on tools like ChatGPT to think, write, and reason.
Over the course of six weeks, the study tracked college students who were allowed to use ChatGPT for writing essays and answering conceptual questions. The result: while task completion and speed improved, critical thinking skills and long-term comprehension declined.
“We’re not saying AI is inherently harmful,” said lead author Dr. Priya Khanna.
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