AI Use Appears to Have a “Boiling Frog” Effect on Human Cognition, New Study Warns

A new unreviewed study found that people who used an AI chatbot for short reasoning tasks performed worse once the tool was removed and were less persistent.

The effect showed up in both math and reading, with bigger drops among users who relied on the bot for direct answers.

The findings add to concerns that routine AI use could weaken independent thinking and learning over time, making people more dependent on tools.

Researchers said even brief AI assistance may quickly reduce people’s ability to solve problems on their own and stick with difficult tasks.