ChatGPT dependency triggers severe loss of critical thinking
ChatGPT contributes to social isolation (photo: Pexels)
Daily communication with ChatGPT can subtly affect brain function. French researchers have found that excessive dependence on AI assistants may be linked to memory deterioration and social isolation, according to a study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology.
What is the "cognitive offloading" phenomenon and what are its consequences?
Researcher Zeineb Farhat from ISC Paris Business School surveyed 45 young people aged 18 to 25 who use ChatGPT daily for studying, work, or personal needs.
The results show the spread of so-called cognitive offloading - a state where a person relies entirely on an external tool to avoid retaining information in their own memory and expending effort on analyzing it.
Survey participants noted several negative changes:
- Weakened ability for independent thinking and analysis.
- Deterioration of concentration and memory.
- Constant doubts about their own decisions without AI confirmation.
- Feelings of intense stress and anxiety when the service is temporarily unavailable.
In addition to cognitive problems, scientists are also observing social consequences.
Some active users preferred communicating with the chatbot over discussions with friends, teachers, or colleagues, which gradually led to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
When is ChatGPT useful?
Despite the identified risks, the study results are not unequivocally negative.
Participants who used ChatGPT selectively—as a tool for brainstorming and finding inspiration rather than as a substitute for their own analysis—actually recorded increased self-confidence and improved creativity.
The authors emphasize that due to the small sample size and limitation to a single age group, the results cannot currently be generalized to all users.
Scientists are calling for larger-scale and longer-term studies on AI's impact on the human psyche.
