Quick Read
- MIT researchers found ChatGPT users showed lower brain engagement and critical thinking compared to those using Google or no tools.
- EEG data revealed ChatGPT users had weaker neural connectivity, especially in memory and creativity-related brain regions.
- The study warns against overreliance on AI tools, particularly for younger users whose brains are still developing.
- Researchers suggest AI could enhance learning if used properly, but current trends show potential harm to cognitive abilities.
In June 2025, a study conducted by researchers at MIT’s Media Lab shed light on the potential cognitive risks of using ChatGPT for tasks like essay writing. The study, led by research scientist Nataliya Kosmyna, examined the brain activity of 54 participants aged 18 to 39 as they wrote SAT-style essays using ChatGPT, Google Search, or no tools at all. The findings, though preliminary, suggest that overreliance on ChatGPT could harm critical thinking and memory retention, particularly in younger users.
Lower Brain Engagement with ChatGPT
Using EEG recordings across 32 brain regions, the researchers found that participants who relied on ChatGPT showed significantly lower neural engagement compared to the other groups. These users consistently underperformed at linguistic, behavioral, and neural levels, often resorting to copy-and-paste techniques by the end of the study. Time reports that the essays produced by ChatGPT users were deemed “soulless” by English teachers, lacking originality and depth.
Memory and Creativity at Risk
The study also highlighted the impact of ChatGPT on memory and creativity. When participants were asked to rewrite an essay without using ChatGPT, those who had previously relied on the tool struggled to recall their own work. EEG data showed weaker alpha and theta brain waves, which are associated with memory and semantic processing. In contrast, participants who wrote essays without any tools exhibited higher neural connectivity, particularly in regions linked to creativity and problem-solving.
Implications for Education and Policy
Kosmyna emphasized the urgency of addressing these findings, especially as AI tools like ChatGPT become more integrated into education. “Developing brains are at the highest risk,” she told Time. The study calls for better education on how to use AI tools responsibly and warns against implementing AI in early childhood education without proper testing. Psychiatrist Dr. Zishan Khan echoed these concerns, noting that overreliance on AI could weaken critical neural connections in young people.
Balancing Efficiency and Cognitive Development
While the study raises alarms, it also suggests that AI could enhance learning if used correctly. For example, participants who initially wrote essays without tools and later used ChatGPT showed increased brain connectivity, indicating potential benefits when AI is used as a supplement rather than a crutch. However, Kosmyna cautions that current trends lean toward overreliance, which could stifle critical thinking and creativity in the long run.
As AI continues to evolve, this MIT study underscores the need for careful consideration of its impact on cognitive development, particularly for younger users. While AI tools offer convenience, their potential to impair critical thinking and memory retention cannot be ignored.