Agency. Now the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our daily life is increasing rapidly. AI is now used to find answers to a question on the Internet, write an email or listen to a song. Provides information instantly through computer algorithms. It makes our job easier, but are we becoming more dependent on it than necessary? Are we reducing the use of the ability to think deeply? Has our confidence also declined?

Many studies have shown that the use of AI negatively affects our critical thinking ability. In a study by MIT’s Media Lab, some people were asked to write essays. Some of them used AI, while others did not. Studies have shown that those who wrote essays using AI became more lazy when writing another essay.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking refers to the process of making a fair decision by evaluating all aspects of a subject judiciously. That is, not accepting something blindly, but thinking about all aspects of it. We use this ability to solve problems.

Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, USA. Daniel Willingham says, “We often make decisions based on our memory, not critical thinking. ”

“In fact, we solve most problems based on previous experience or memory. But sometimes we face a problem that is seen for the first time. In such a situation, our critical thinking ability works, not memory. ”

“Memory is important and many times we successfully solve problems through it. But critical thinking is not always an easy solution. “

When we solve a problem, it is preserved in our memory and on the basis of that, we again seek a solution to the same challenge. The control of critical thinking capacity is in the prefrontal cortex of the front of the brain while memory is accumulated in the hippocampus. After a lot of work, the toxins start accumulating in the prefrontal cortex, causing fatigue.

Dr. According to Willingham, because of this fatigue, we like to rely on memory and try to avoid deep thinking. It can solve problems, but we miss the opportunity to learn new solutions.

Solving problems in the same way reduces the pressure on the mind. However, critical thinking puts pressure on the brain, but it makes the brain sharper. Dr. “Critical thinking has two benefits — one, we are able to meet new challenges and the mind is sharper,” says Willingham. Secondly, as we age, brain capacity decreases, but critical thinking helps keep the brain active in old age. ”

Professor of Management at SBS Business School, Switzerland. Michael Gairlik explains how AI can be defined. He says, “There are two parts to this definition, artificial i.e. artificial and intelligence, which is powered by machines. It’s actually an imitation of the human brain. Just as we train children, AI is also trained. ”

AI contains many types of data and analyzes and answers based on that. Earlier computers provided limited information and had the same answer to the same question. However, AI can give different answers depending on the context and circumstances.

Dr. “AI analyzes every word to predict what you want to know. However, it does not understand the context very well. The Large Language model does not understand history, but responds by speculating on the basis of a lot of information. ”

Generative intelligence has now started working on various platforms. It sometimes gives us flattering answers, because he guesses what we want to hear. Dr. “This technology is designed to relieve us, so it answers positively or negatively depending on the way we are asked,” says Gairlik. By relying on it, we begin to use our discretion. ”

He says, “Generative AI saves our time and labor by working fast, but it also starts doing the work itself. He also starts making decisions on his own. One of my studies has shown that increasing reliance on AI leads to a decline in critical thinking abilities. ”

Can AI be a positive way of use?

Yuvan So is the founder of Singapore-based digital platform Noodle Factory, which uses AI in education and training. “Many times, students are afraid to repeat questions because they don’t understand. But this platform allows you to ask for the required information over and over again. It also teaches students with problems while studying in foreign languages in their mother tongue. ”

It contains all the data of the course, which can be easily used by the students.

But does increasing reliance on AI affect students’ thinking abilities?

“To do any work, students have to put data on the platform while using AI, which has to be thoughtfully inserted,” says Yuvan. That’s why critical thinking is used. Now teachers should also adopt a new method of evaluation keeping in mind the use of AI. ”

The brain should be used when using AI. Professor Sana Kharenghani, an AI expert at King’s College London, says, “We solve problems by using memory, but decisions have to be made only by thinking deeply about the information we get from AI. ”

“We and children should be taught not to blindly trust the answers given by AI, it keeps technology under control,” he said. However, government policy is necessary to control it. ”

Ai is also likely to be misused by advertising companies. Sana says, “The government should ensure that AI is transparent. If AI does not have full confidence in its answer, then it should advise us to get information from other sources as well. ”

But does AI reduce critical thinking?

Sana says, “We have to use AI in a balanced way. Don’t think it will do everything. Not all the information given should be considered wrong, because it reduces productivity. It is important to maintain balance. ”