Reliance on AI leads to decreased critical thinking.

“The future isn’t about eliminating AI or preserving human labor—it’s about ensuring human intelligence remains irreplaceable in an AI-powered world.”

A new study from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University found that increased reliance on GenAI in the workplace leads to decreased critical thinking.

The study surveyed 319 knowledge workers and found that higher trust in AI correlates with reduced critical analysis, evaluation, and reasoned judgment. This pattern is particularly concerning because these essential cognitive abilities – once diminished through lack of regular use, are difficult to restore.

The critical issue is the gradual tradeoff happening in workplaces: as AI tools become more capable and trusted, humans may be unconsciously trading their deep cognitive capabilities for convenience and speed.

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/uploads/prod/2025/01/lee_2025_ai_critical_thinking_survey.pdf

This AI assisted “dumbing down” is also clearly happening in school, which naturally leads to a less prepared workforce.

Source: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/genai-reshaping-work-intelligence/

Even students are aware of the situation, as shown below in a San Diego high school opinion piece.

Source : https://wvnexus.org/opinions/ai-reduces-critical-thinking/

Younger students (17-25) in the study referenced above showed the highest AI dependence and the lowest critical thinking skills.  

The same held true in several studies including the one shown below.

Source : https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ssrn-5082524.pdf

In response to this startling information, educators the world over are attempting to mitigate, or at least reframe, the problem. As Ross Morrison McGill founder of TeacherToolkit recommends, teachers can balance AI with learning by

1. Encouraging scepticism: Teach students to challenge AI outputs. Ask: Is this accurate? What bias might exist?
2. Developing cognitive resilience: Make students solve problems independently before using AI for verification.
3. Using deep thinking tasks: Structured debates and problem-solving activities keep students engaged.
4. Teaching AI literacy: Help students understand how AI works, its limitations, and its impact on knowledge.
5. Modeling critical thinking: Show students how to cross-check AI-generated information using multiple sources.

Source : https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/2025/02/04/ai-impact-students-critical-thinking/