People who use a lot of AI for work are losing critical thinking skills, finds Microsoft study

A recent study by researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University has raised concerns about how the growing use of generative AI tools in the workplace is affecting critical thinking. As more professionals turn to AI for routine tasks, the study found they tend to exercise less cognitive effort, leading to a potential decline in essential problem-solving abilities. The researchers warn that, while AI can enhance efficiency, it may come at the cost of reduced independent judgement.

The findings are based on a survey of 319 knowledge workers across various industries. Participants shared nearly 1,000 examples of how they used AI in their jobs, which ranged from educators generating presentation materials to traders seeking investment strategies and nurses verifying educational content. Many respondents admitted that when they trusted AI’s output, they engaged less critically with the task at hand, whereas those who had doubts about the AI’s accuracy were more likely to scrutinise and refine the results.

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Efficiency vs Critical Engagement

While AI handles routine tasks with speed and precision, it deprives users of opportunities to strengthen their cognitive skills. As workers become more reliant on AI, they may find themselves less prepared to handle unexpected or complex situations.

This shift in cognitive effort was noted by researchers as a movement from active task execution to task oversight. Tasks that are low-pressure or routine tend to receive less critical engagement from users who trust AI to perform them flawlessly.  

However, in high-stakes environments where the consequences of errors could be severe—such as in healthcare or legal settings—workers reported applying more critical thinking to evaluate and verify AI outputs.

The study also observed that AI use tends to limit creativity and diversity of outcomes. Workers using generative AI produced less varied results compared to those without AI assistance, indicating that users may adopt AI-generated outputs without applying enough personal, contextual, or reflective judgment.

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Balancing technology and human intelligence

The idea that technology might degrade human cognitive abilities is not new. Historically, similar fears have been raised about innovations such as writing, the printing press, and even calculators. Philosophers like Socrates worried that relying on written texts would weaken memory, while early critics of calculators warned they would stunt mathematical skills.

The researchers acknowledge that concerns about AI’s impact on critical thinking follow this historical pattern. However, they emphasise that the problem isn’t the technology itself but how it is used. Poorly designed tools can indeed lead to cognitive atrophy, but thoughtful development could make AI an asset rather than a liability for human intelligence.

The researchers stress that AI tools should be designed to encourage users to think critically rather than passively accepting outputs.  

For example, AI systems could provide explanations of how they generate results, suggest areas for improvement, or guide users through a critique process. These features could help users develop critical thinking skills, such as analysing arguments and cross-referencing facts with authoritative sources.

Finding a middle ground

The researchers suggest that positioning AI as a partner in skill development could mitigate the risks of overreliance. Rather than automating every aspect of work, AI could be developed with features that motivate users to maintain their cognitive engagement.  

By prompting reflection, offering learning opportunities, and fostering active involvement, AI tools could support rather than hinder human judgement.

While AI’s integration into the workplace is accelerating, this study underscores the need to strike a balance between efficiency and critical thinking. AI tools are here to stay, but how they are designed and used will play a crucial role in shaping the future of human intelligence. With companies like Microsoft deeply invested in AI development, there is hope that these concerns will be addressed through more responsible innovation.