A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab has raised concerns over the potential cognitive and emotional impacts of excessive use of AI tools like ChatGPT, particularly among younger users.
The research involved 54 participants between the ages of 18 and 39 and explored how AI assistance affects mental performance and emotional wellbeing. Participants were split into three groups: one used ChatGPT, another used the Google search engine, and the third wrote articles without any digital tools.
During the writing process, researchers monitored brain activity using electroencephalograms (EEGs). Results revealed that those using ChatGPT showed decreased activity in brain regions associated with memory and attention span.
“While ChatGPT enhances productivity, overdependence on it may lead to cognitive passivity,” the researchers noted. Over time, users became slower in completing writing tasks and increasingly relied on copy-pasting content instead of generating their own ideas.
The study concluded that frequent use of AI chatbots could hinder learning and memory retention, with young adults being particularly at risk. However, the team acknowledged that the sample size was small and the findings have not yet undergone peer review or been published in a major scientific journal.
“This is a preliminary warning, but an important one,” the researchers stated. “Understanding the long-term impact of AI tools on brain development is critical, especially for young individuals who use them regularly.”
An earlier study by the same MIT lab echoed similar concerns. Over four weeks, researchers tracked emotional responses of individuals interacting with ChatGPT through either text or voice. The findings indicated that heavy text-based interaction led to increased feelings of loneliness. Participants who shared personal issues with the chatbot were more likely to develop emotional dependency.
Interestingly, users engaging via voice interactions experienced a milder emotional response, but dependency concerns remained.
“These studies suggest that while AI offers convenience and support, it may subtly reshape our cognitive and emotional frameworks,” the researchers cautioned.
