AI is everywhere - from content we see to the way we work. It can save us time on laborious admin, help us brainstorm new ideas and even give us reassurance like a friend. But does with convenience come a cost? Our brains are a muscle, and AI means we don’t need to use that muscle as much as we did a year or so ago.
Recent neuroscience and cognitive science suggest AI may be reshaping how we think, remember, and create.
What is AI doing to our brains and our way of life?
AI is incredibly powerful and there is no question that it’s making long processes more efficient. But what other impacts is it having?
1. Harder to distinguish between real and fake
AI-generated images and content with deep fakes are making it increasingly hard to tell fact from fiction. AI enables people and brands create very convincing posts and articles that could be spreading fake news or warped realities. That uncertainty leads to skepticism and lower trust in info overall.
We’re seeing experts push us to question emotionally charged posts, cross-check facts, and use AI detection tools. Trust your gut if something feels too polished or shocking to be true and fact check from a reliable source.
2. Affects your memory and motivation
When information is instantly available, we’re less likely to remember it ourselves. Relying on AI heavily, shot circuits memory consolidation critical for expertise, critical thinking, and deep learning.
A recent study found that brain‑only writers showed the strongest EEG activity, better recall, more original work, and most ownership. While AI users had the lowest brain engagement and poorest memory over time. Interestingly, a study by Harvard found that AI makes people more productive, but less motivated.
Reserve AI for urgent or repetitive tasks. When you’re learning, researching, or problem-solving, let your brain do the heavy lifting and use AI as blending tool to help finesse.
3. It’s becoming a uniform source for creativity
AI can whip up poems, logos, or blog headlines in seconds. But recent research suggests real creativity hinges on combining novelty and originality, something AI still struggles with.
AI tends to reflect dominant patterns in language, tone, opinion so AI-generated writing reduces individual and cultural distinctiveness, which can make it a little…boring. Most people can spot when something is written by AI because it spits out similar answers for everything.
Use AI to spark ideas, but build and refine them yourself. That struggle is where creativity lives.
4. It gives us a ‘quick fix’ and shortcut mentality
Habitually taking the easy path with AI can weaken resilience and tolerance for complexity. When we rely on instant solutions, we’re less likely to wrestle with questions or ambiguity or think originally. And those struggles strengthen us. The journey to get to an answer is what makes us proud of the work we’ve done.
Psychologists warn that over time, this leads to reduced persistence and mental durability. We’re not saying to go back to looking things up in an encyclopedia, but every now and then, make time to work things through without shortcuts. This will keep your brain sharp but also invite topics of conversation solved instantly with a quick question to Chat GPT.
5. Dopamine hits vs. deep rewards
AI gives you fast dopamine boosts in exchange for little mental effort. But insights that require effort, engage deeper brain reward systems tied to memory and motivation. Simply consuming AI-generated answers lacks the learning reinforcement that comes from self-discovery and reflection - you’re not working for your answers.
Instead of taking to ChatGPT first, work like a human and then use it to proof read or suggest improvements.
6. More efficient working
It’s not all bad. AI does wonders for summarising docs, drafting first drafts, or automating admin. When used well, it frees mental energy for deep work, strategy, and connection. But the key is reinvesting that time into creative or meaningful tasks - not mindless scrolling. Automate the low‑value stuff. Then choose something high-value to fill the gap.
When to Use AI vs. When to Flex Your Brain
- Fact checking → Your brain + trusted sources
- Adin and summarisation → AI
- Creative brainstorming → Your brain + AI for refinement if needed
- Studying or learning → You brain
- Personal or emotional → Your brain and words
AI is like having a brilliant assistant but the real power comes from knowing when to delegate and when to dig in. Your brain is a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes, and the better you can harness AI without losing your most human qualities.
_2.png?table=block&id=1ac3adcd-0b13-809c-baf1-f06eb6514833&cache=v2)
_1.webp)