One day we may no longer be able to think for ourselves. Every time we use artificial intelligence (AI), we weaken the brain over time by not actually using our brain. Frequent reliance on AI leads to a decreased memory retention in a phenomenon known as digital amnesia. Although artificially intelligent technology can enhance efficiency, it greatly negatively impacts the brain [1].
One of the biggest drawbacks of digital technology (hereafter referred to as simply “technology” for concision) is its damaging effect on memory. In the past, people had to memorize almost everything, including phone numbers, appointments, and directions for traveling. Today, with the ability to save all such important information on one device instead of storing it in one’s brain, life becomes much easier. It is possible to call someone with only the click of a button; it is not even necessary to see the phone number before calling the person. Similarly, digital calendars allow people to enter any important events, notifying them as the date approaches. In contrast, past generations had to manually organize all their events on paper and check constantly to ensure nothing was accidentally forgotten.
Technology offers instant access to information, making information retrieval much easier compared to previous methods of searching for it in books. Whenever someone searches for information, it appears right in front of them. AI summaries provide an instant overview, which reduces the amount of time people actively read to understand the subject. Students choose to skip the step of looking for the information in websites and reading through paragraphs and essays, even though AI summaries are regularly inaccurate. This easy retrieval creates a problem, as it signals that all the information one could possibly need is accessible with only a click of a button. People no longer have to spend hours skimming through textbooks or stress about forgetting information. Instead, generative AI can give most of the information asked for instantly. This leads to digital amnesia reducing cognitive effort and decreases long-term memory retention. The negative impact is particularly clear in younger people, as the prefrontal cortex finishes developing around age of 25 [2]. It is thus crucial to build strong learning habits early on. Without this effort, AI will eventually become a crutch for everyday life, making learning independently much more difficult if not altogether impossible. After all, it is much easier to copy down word for word an answer given by ChatGPT than to connect the dots independently from reading a textbook.
With such heavy reliance on AI and technology, what would happen if platforms like ChatGPT or YouTube crashed? In fact, this occurs relatively often and is each time immediately followed by reports of people’s daily routines being disrupted [3]. On the other hand, people who are not heavy AI users do not even notice these platforms crashing. The promptness of the disruption reports indicates the extent of people’s dependence on these sites: the technology is no longer a helpful tool but rather an irreplaceable element without which work cannot be done.
Taking this reliance on technology into account, it becomes crucial to balance device use. One strategy is to take short breaks from devices. During these breaks, focusing on original ideas will help instigate creativity. AI should be a tool to assist with augmenting human capabilities; deliberate note-taking and memorization techniques provide another strategy. While blankly copying down the answers AI outputs may be the path to an easy A+, it is much more beneficial to practice taking notes during a teacher’s lesson and to truly understand the information being covered. Rather than using AI for the entire learning process, technology should instead supplement ideas one already has a grasp on. Not going down the road of passive reliance encourages active learning [4].
Digital amnesia and dependence on AI are prevalent around the world and bring many cognitive consequences. Living in such a reality, it is important to understand that technology is not meant to replace the human memory but instead assist it. By still actively learning, people can understand information instead of only being memorized for a test or project. With slow and deliberate practice to avoid overusing technology, we can strive to develop our minds without cultivating an overdependence on AI.