Recently, the MIT Media Lab released a new study revealing that using AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for writing tasks may lead to reduced brain activity. The study is titled "Your Brain When You Use ChatGPT: Cognitive Debt Accumulation in Paper Writing Tasks with AI Assistants."
Image source note: The image was generated by AI, and the image licensing service is Midjourney.
In this study, researchers conducted experiments with three groups: one group used only their own brains, another used search engines, and the third used large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT. Using electroencephalography (EEG) technology, researchers measured participants' brain activity during writing tasks, observing neuronal activation. At the same time, researchers also used natural language processing technology to analyze participants' papers and evaluate their ability to recall memories.
Participants were switched between different groups in four experiments to explore the effects of different writing styles on brain activity, natural language processing abilities, and memory tests. The study found that the neural connectivity patterns of the groups were significantly different, reflecting different cognitive strategies. Participants who used AI tools performed relatively poorly in EEG activity and other tests.
The study points out that as the use of AI tools increases, brain activity gradually decreases. The results show that the group that relied solely on thinking exhibited the strongest connections in the neural network, while the group using search engines performed in the middle, and the group using large language models performed the worst. The researchers emphasized that participants in the LLM group could not accurately cite the content they had just written after finishing their papers.
Additionally, English teachers stated that papers written with AI are nearly perfect in language and structure but lack personal touch, appearing to be "soulless." In summary, the study concludes that using AI writing tools has a negative impact on brain activity.
Although society is moving towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) or superintelligence, artificial neural networks may help us solve major scientific and engineering challenges. However, relying on these AI tools at present may be harming individual brain functions.
Key Points:
🧠 The study shows that using AI tools for writing leads to a significant reduction in brain activity.
📉 Participants using AI performed worse than those not using AI in memory recall and writing performance.
📝 Teachers believe that AI-generated papers lack personal emotion and depth, showing a "lack of soul."