"Not a new issue Before getting into the research, I'm reminded of similar concerns raised about earlier technologies, beginning with Socrates, who worried that writing would erode our reliance on memory and make it possible to appear knowledgeable without truly understanding what we claim to know. As absurd as that may sound in 2026, in some sense, he was right. Written sources give us indirect knowledge of events we didn't witness ourselves and allow us to revisit information when we need to refresh our memory."
"After reading some of the research and drawing on plenty of personal experience, I've done a bit of critical thinking about this question myself and concluded that the answer is nuanced. Yes, generative AI can become a substitute for rigorous research and thinking, but it can also be a tool that helps people think more critically by freeing them from mundane tasks."
Generative AI has nuanced effects on critical thinking. It can substitute for rigorous research and reasoning when users rely on AI outputs without verification. It can also function as a cognitive tool that automates mundane tasks, freeing attention for deeper analysis and synthesis. Historical parallels show recurring worries when new technologies shift cognitive labor: Socrates feared writing would erode memory, critics worried typewriters and calculators would weaken thought. Outcomes depend on educational goals, task complexity, and how tools are integrated; tools can impair basic skills yet empower advanced understanding when used appropriately.
Read at The Mercury News
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