Are AI chatbots making us lose control of our brains?

2026-06-05 · Source: MIT Technology Review · Field: Science & Research — Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Psychologist Gloria Mark's three decades of research on digital technology interaction reveal a significant decline in human attention spans, from 2.5 minutes in 2003 to 47 seconds by 2020, correlating with increased stress and reduced task performance. While social media's long-term effects on children remain inconclusive despite ongoing lawsuits against companies like Meta and Google for addiction, Mark expresses concern about AI's impact. She warns that deferring cognitive tasks to AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini diminishes "depth of processing," risking the atrophy of critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Mark suggests that conscious effort in daily activities, like reading books or meeting friends in person, is crucial for course correction and regaining cognitive strength.

Key takeaway

For professionals relying on AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for summarization or content creation, recognize that deferring cognitive work risks atrophying your critical thinking and emotional intelligence. To mitigate this, intentionally integrate effortful tasks into your routine, such as deeply processing information yourself or prioritizing in-person interactions. This conscious effort is vital for preserving your cognitive abilities and overall well-being.

Key insights

Digital technologies, particularly AI, diminish cognitive and emotional capacities by reducing the need for effortful processing.

Principles

• Frequent attention switching elevates stress levels.
• Deferring cognitive tasks weakens mental faculties.
• Effortful engagement enhances learning and retention.

Method

Consciously apply effort in daily tasks to deepen processing, foster satisfaction, and counteract cognitive atrophy.

In practice

• Read books fully, avoid summaries.
• Prioritize in-person social interactions.
• Navigate without GPS when feasible.

Topics

• AI Chatbots
• Cognitive Load
• Attention Spans
• Digital Well-being
• Emotional Intelligence
• Critical Thinking

Best for: AI Ethicist, Domain Expert, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by MIT Technology Review.