Economic Times Tech
7/15/2026
The original headline is: "Study suggests AI tool use may reduce long-term cognitive performance and persistence"
Original: Generative AI's power sparks fears of dumbing humans down
Short summary
A study of 1,222 people found that using AI tools for arithmetic and reading exercises improved short-term performance but diminished long-term results and reduced willingness to persist without the tools. The findings, still under peer review, fuel concerns that generative AI may be eroding fundamental cognitive skills and creating dependency. This adds to a growing debate about the societal impact of widespread AI adoption.
- •Study of 1,222 people shows AI tools boost short-term but harm long-term performance
- •Participants showed reduced willingness to try without AI assistance
- •Research is under peer review but raises concerns about cognitive skill atrophy
Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.
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