Is It Still Up to Us to Keep Thinking?

We're going to talk about MIT's report — backed by EEG readings — containing findings that “the use of AI could have effects that may result in weakening of brain neurons and memory loss.”

First, mind the wording: not that it does, but that it could! ‼️

Everyone took that sentence and turned it into flashy posts. As they concluded “AI is making us dumber,” I won't even get into the irony that the visuals under their posts were generated with AI. I'm among those who believe you have to look at this not only through the lens of AI, but through the broader lens of industrial and technological progress.

• Just as the invention of the wheel didn't destroy people's ability to walk and run,
• as the industrial revolution that began with the loom didn't cost people their manual skills,
• as people who use calculators didn't forget how to do arithmetic,
• as the use of the internet and email didn't kill people's desire to research and communicate,

I think the use of AI, too, could be a risk for the effects mentioned in the report only for individuals who aren't open to improving themselves.

Some will say: “Inventions like the industrial revolution, the internet and the wheel weren't about cognitive activity; using AI does affect how people exercise their brains.” 🤔

I disagree! As I said in the previous sentence: I find it hard to believe that people who keep improving themselves without growing lazy — and who bring AI into their work or life for speed and efficiency — will carry this risk. It's all about how we use the time freed up by the efficiency gains. When we find the time, do we read more books, pick up new skills… The examples could go on.

All technological progress aims to improve human life and make processes faster, more efficient and higher quality. Are we living faster? Yes! But technology isn't the only cause of that; growing global competition is too. AI, meanwhile — beyond being a competitive arena in its own right — promises an enormous future across all other competitive arenas. I think that's how we should see it.

Something caught my eye in the posts. I read them in both Turkish and English; I subscribe to many news groups on LinkedIn and other platforms, and follow many people individually. The vast majority of the posts hyping this up were in Turkish. While the world moves in another direction, are we still choosing to approach the subject only from a tabloid angle? If so, all I can say is: “Alas!” 🤔