Many office workers now use AI as a common part of their jobs. For example, they draft reports with a chatbot, then rewrite emails using a generative tool. Next, they might use AI to shorten a 20-page report into a three-paragraph summary. This has become a regular practice. According to a survey by the Pinktum Institute, between 44% and 52% of UK workers incorporate AI into their tasks, with most using it for routine administrative work. While frequent use is still relatively low (about 15% to 35% of those with access), the trend is growing, especially among those who are still experimenting with AI tools.
However, a key concern that remains underexplored is whether our increasing dependence on AI is gradually dulling our thinking skills. Josephine Hofmann, a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO in Germany, explains this trend as deskilling. It refers to the scenario where people either fail to build new skills or gradually lose existing ones as tasks are handed over to machines. Hofmann says this shift not only affects the specific skills we use daily but also impacts the development of critical abilities like reasoning and problem-solving.
Is AI Rewiring Our Workday Thought Process?
Hofmann describes two types of deskilling. First is the loss of skills we already possess, such as the ability to craft a well-structured argument. The second, and more troubling, is that AI makes it easy to avoid developing certain skills from the start. For instance, people may stop reading long documents themselves or lose the habit of writing reports without assistance. This includes essential skills like understanding complex texts, critically evaluating information, and independently creating content.
Research from the SBS Swiss Business School supports these concerns. The study found a strong negative link between heavy AI use and critical thinking abilities. The more individuals rely on AI for tasks like rewriting, summarizing, or generating content, the more their analytical and creative thinking skills may decline over time. The decline is not immediate, but it is steady. According to Hofmann, once people stop actively thinking through problems, regaining that mental discipline becomes challenging.
The Risks of Not Thinking
One major risk, Hofmann emphasizes, is losing the habit of thinking through our work. When people become accustomed to AI-generated content, they may simply accept it without question. This can lead to poor judgment when the AI’s output contains errors or flawed logic. Hofmann explains that when we stop understanding the content ourselves, it becomes harder to spot mistakes in summaries or identify weak reasoning in the material.
Carina Ebli-Korbel, an expert in education and human resources, warns that avoiding direct engagement with material can result in blind spots in our arguments and analyses. The Pinktum Institute found that around 70% of AI users regularly check AI-generated output. However, simply reviewing the output is not the same as deeply engaging with the problem. This habit of delegation, rather than critical involvement, can lead to a lack of understanding and a reduced ability to think independently.
Experts suggest that the key to countering this issue lies in how we use AI. Hofmann recommends using AI as a thinking partner rather than just a tool. For instance, she advises prompting the AI to challenge users by asking them to re-express ideas or answer questions differently. This method helps keep humans actively involved in the process rather than just copying the AI’s output. By engaging in dialogue with AI, users maintain their cognitive engagement and continue developing their thinking skills.
Ebli-Korbel emphasizes the importance of regularly practicing core skills without AI assistance. This includes drafting emails yourself, reading entire reports, and writing out your thoughts before using AI to assist. Employers also play a role by providing time and resources for these fundamental skill-building activities. While efficiency is often the focus, it's crucial to balance it with the need to develop and retain essential thinking abilities.
According to Hofmann, AI doesn't inherently weaken the mind, but it can do so if used carelessly. The challenge is learning to use the technology in a way that enhances our thinking rather than replacing it. Hofmann and Ebli-Korbel both stress the need for individuals to take responsibility for how they integrate AI into their work, ensuring it supports—not supplants—their cognitive growth.
The solution, they argue, is to treat AI as a tool that supports human thinking rather than replaces it. By consciously using AI to aid in the process of critical thinking and decision-making, individuals can maintain their cognitive abilities while still benefiting from the efficiency of AI tools. Hofmann adds that it’s about training ourselves to use AI wisely, not letting it train us to stop thinking altogether.
Both Hofmann and Ebli-Korbel acknowledge that AI can also help strengthen skills when used correctly. Ebli-Korbel says that if you can lose skills through AI, you can also gain them with the right approach. The key is to balance the use of AI with active cognitive practice, ensuring that people continue to engage their minds even as they take advantage of technological advancements.