The Applications of AI for Improving Human Cognitive Performance AI technology reduces mental strain by executing automated tasks that require mechanical repetition. The customer support logs are summarized through an AI tool that my team utilizes for their operations. The free time we now have allows us to investigate both the causes of these issues and their potential design improvements. The developers who implement AI coding tools maintain their intelligence by shifting boilerplate work to focus on creative architectural and design work. The accessibility of AI technology serves as a tool to make learning more accessible to students. The personalized recommendation features and language translation tools make difficult subjects accessible to people who would otherwise avoid them. Where AI Can Hurt Thinking People risk becoming uncritical when they accept AI-generated information as absolute truth without evaluation. The lack of code understanding from junior team members becomes evident when they duplicate AI-generated code. The code operates properly before it fails. The system fails when they lack the ability to explain the reason behind the failure. The surface-level approach to learning leads to diminished development of genuine skill competencies. The failure to face challenges and doubts prevents you from deepening your understanding of material. AI systems have the ability to enhance confirmation bias through their operation. The delivery of customized information from tools can lead users to avoid exploring different viewpoints. How to Strike the Balance Based on my team leadership experience I recommend using AI tools as collaborative partners instead of seeking absolute answers from them. The team maintains a transparent dialogue to review and evaluate the AI suggestions presented to them. Our training program for new engineers focuses on explaining how the AI provides its responses by showing both correct and incorrect reasoning. Bottom line: AI functions as a tool which does not inherently affect human intellectual capacity. AI functions as a calculator to enhance our ability to think at a higher level only when we maintain fundamental understanding of the subject matter. The complete abandonment of human judgment leads to potential skill degradation because of AI usage. I advocate for purposeful application through processes which maintain human participation as active thinkers instead of automatic consumers.
As with any new technology that allows us to outsource thinking or stop using certain muscles to accomplish a task, those muscles will inevitably become less robust. For example, if you use GPS regularly, your navigational skills will suffer and you will find you start to struggle without it. If your job requires you to lift heavy boxes, but then your boss gifts you a forklift for the job, your muscles will quickly downsize. This is the nature of evolution. Our bodies and brains adapt to the tasks that are most required of them, and shed the pieces that are no longer needed, in the interest of efficiency. The adoption of AI is no different in that it has the potential to take over many functions that we have historically required our brains to handle, from reasoning, to analyzing, synthesizing and copywriting. The more we rely on AI tools to do our thinking for us, the more our brains' capacity for such tasks will diminish, like an under utilized muscle. However, ultimately the impact that AI will have on our brains (and undeniably, there will be an impact), will depend on how we choose to use it. Yes AI has the ability to allow us to offload thinking and brain function - but that is not where its power lies; used strategically, AI also has the power to facilitate significant growth, and the building of new cognitive strengths, by allowing us to apply our brains in ways that were previously inaccessible to us. Now those with the desire to learn, grow, innovate and build something new will find AI tools are a super power that makes their ambition possible. Whether its building an app to improve your run tempo, or connecting the dots to solve world hunger. We should think of AI as tool that strengthens us by levelling up our problem solving skills. Ultimately any AI output is only as good as its input. Any solution that can be achieved with AI starts with asking the right questions. It truly relies on creative, innovative ways of thinking and problem solving that push the boundaries of what we imagine to be possible. Before the advent of the bicycle, no one could ride a bicycle. Now with practice, most children can master the balance and coordination required, and once those neural paths are established, it's a skill they will have for life. Our brains literally change in developing that capability. Used right, AI is just such a tool that can empower us in unprecedented ways, thus expanding, not dumbing down our cognitive abilities.