A recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab shows that the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbots such as ChatGPT can have a negative effect on the human brain.
In this study, the cognition of 54 participants aged between 18 to 39 years old was tested through an essay writing task. Participants were then randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of 18 people.
In one study, three groups of participants were given the task of composing an essay intended for the SAT, a US college entrance exam, over three sessions. The first group used ChatGPT, the second utilized the Google search engine, while the third group wrote without the aid of technology.
In the fourth session, the first group was asked to compose an essay without the help of ChatGPT, while the third group was given the opportunity to use the AI chatbot from OpenAI.
The findings of this study showed that the group that utilized ChatGPT in the essay writing process showed lower levels of brain activity and produced less original work.
The researchers revealed that the group that used ChatGPT showed less satisfactory results in cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral aspects. The findings indicated that the participants in the group tended to become lazier with each essay they wrote, doing nothing more than copy and paste.
Furthermore, the researchers noted that the essays produced by the first group were almost entirely similar and lacked original ideas. In addition, most of the essays written by the first group that utilized ChatGPT were also considered ‘soulless’.
“In the midst of this technological transition, it is critical to understand the full spectrum of cognitive consequences associated with the integration of language learning models in educational and informational contexts,” the researchers said in the study titled ‘Your Brain on ChatGPT’ published on June 10, as reported by USA Today on Friday (20/6).
“While these tools offer unprecedented opportunities to improve learning and information access, their potential impact on cognitive development, critical thinking and intellectual independence warrants serious attention and ongoing research,” the researchers said.
The study shows that the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) can have a negative impact on learning, especially among the younger generation.
Nataliya Kosmyna, lead researcher on the study, admits that the study has not been peer reviewed and the sample size is relatively small.
However, she argues that the research is important to publish. She expressed concern that society's increasing reliance on AI chatbots in daily life could threaten brain development in the long run.
Nataliya revealed that the results obtained to date are far from expected. She explains that this research could potentially affect many companies that plan to replace their budding programmers with artificial intelligence.
While efficiency may improve, she emphasizes that a greater reliance on AI could risk decreasing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills among the existing workforce.
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