A growing dependence on artificial intelligence for everyday tasks could be detrimental to cognitive health, with experts warning that excessive use of AI tools like ChatGPT may weaken brain plasticity and cognitive reserve, potentially increasing the risk of dementia.
At least one billion people have downloaded the AI application ChatGPT since its 2022 launch, and millions more utilize similar products for tasks ranging from research to writing and summarizing. However, this widespread adoption raises concerns about the implications of relying on machines for mental work.
Some research suggests that students who use AI for learning retain less information compared to those who conduct their own research. This is significant because repetitive learning and engaging with complex information are crucial for maintaining the brain's neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural connections. This neuroplasticity helps build cognitive reserve, a buffer that preserves normal mental function for longer and may protect against dementia.
Cognitive Offloading and Brain Function
Experts are increasingly concerned about what is termed 'cognitive offloading,' where individuals delegate mentally challenging tasks to AI algorithms. Professor Simone Rossi, a neurology professor at the University of Siena, stated that habitual over-reliance on AI can reduce cognitive exercise, potentially weakening brain neuroplasticity in the long term. A report published by Professor Rossi and colleagues in the journal Artificial Intelligence warns that increasing AI dependence, with some adults spending up to seven hours daily interacting with AI software, poses a direct threat to brain function. The report argues that passive, uncritical reliance on AI may erode human cognition.
One of the earliest studies highlighting this effect was published in the Journal Computer Science by research scientist Nataliya Kosmyna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kosmyna observed that her computer studies students seemed to forget learned material more quickly than previous cohorts. An experiment involving around 50 students was conducted, where participants wrote an essay using either ChatGPT, Google search without AI, or no technology at all. Brain activity was monitored using electroencephalography (EEG).
The results indicated that the group using no technology showed highly active brain scans, signifying intense information processing. Those using Google search exhibited high activity in brain areas related to visual stimulation. The ChatGPT group, however, showed the least brain activity—55 percent lower than the non-technology group. Kosmyna noted that while the brain did not become inactive, there was significantly less activity in areas associated with creativity and information processing. Days after submitting their essays, most of the AI group could recall little from their work, suggesting minimal information retention.
Further research from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil involving 120 students explored AI's impact on learning. One group used ChatGPT for research over two weeks, while the other used traditional resources. Six weeks later, the traditional resource group correctly answered 68.5 percent of questions about their assignment, compared to 57.5 percent in the ChatGPT group. The negative effects were most pronounced when students studied technical topics, with those not using AI retaining more details.
Broader Implications
Concerns extend beyond students. In May, the Department for Education in England issued guidance to schools warning about the dangers of pupils using AI for homework, noting it could hinder the development of independent thinking. A 2025 study in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that doctors who used AI to screen for bowel cancer were subsequently less accurate at spotting tumors manually.
While long-term studies directly linking everyday AI use to dementia are still lacking, some experts believe the risk is substantial. Barbara Sahakian, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at Cambridge University, predicts it is 'highly likely' that widespread AI use will lead to more dementia cases. She emphasizes that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities is crucial for brain health, and over-reliance on AI can lead to cognitive decline.
Professor Aimee Spector, a specialist in the clinical psychology of aging at University College London, states, "The brain needs to be exercised – use it or lose it." She warns that constant AI use instead of problem-solving could increase dementia risk. Spector advises that AI should be used as a support, not a permanent crutch, and highlights the importance of active engagement and social interaction for brain health, which could be diminished by AI dependency.