A recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft Research Cambridge has revealed that the use of generative AI may contribute to a decline in critical thinking skills.
The study involved 319 white-collar workers who regularly used generative AI tools. Participants were asked to provide three real examples of tasks where they employed generative AI and to describe how they engaged in critical thinking during these processes.
Researchers discovered that users who exhibited greater confidence in generative AI tools, along with those who felt less assured in their own skills and abilities, tended to engage in less critical thinking.
“While AI can improve efficiency, it may also reduce critical engagement, particularly in routine or lower-stakes tasks in which users simply rely on AI, raising concerns about long-term reliance and diminished independent problem-solving.”
Researchers have also found that users who had previously experienced positive interactions with a generative AI tool, particularly when they received accurate or high-quality responses, were more inclined to trust the tool.
This increased trust led to a reduced likelihood of employing critical thinking skills.
Alarmingly, some respondents believed that the information presented by generative AI was consistently accurate and of high quality.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Education Sector
Over two-thirds of secondary school students in high-income nations are utilising generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini for their assignments, while teachers are employing this technology to assist with grading, lesson preparations, and other administrative tasks.
Despite the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in education, only 10% of educational institutions have established an official framework for its use.
While many are optimistic that AI has the potential to enhance the education sector, there are also legitimate concerns regarding its ethical implications in the classroom, such as data privacy, bias and fairness, and the potential over-reliance on the technology.