A few days ago, I asked one of my younger students about the influence of AI on critical thinking. Her response was intriguing: she suggested that because people need to double-check AI’s outputs, it might actually enhance critical thinking.
In an ideal world, she could be right. However, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts (notably in January), the reality often diverges from this optimistic view. Even here on LinkedIn, where privacy and AI professionals frequently share insights, the landscape paints a different picture. Many posts and so-called analyses of new regulations or acts are increasingly being generated by AI tools. What’s particularly striking is that this isn’t limited to the younger generation. A significant number of professionals I follow—many aged 25 to 50+—are relying on AI for these tasks.
This raises pressing questions about how AI is truly influencing critical thinking. Instead of fostering deeper engagement, it often seems to encourage surface-level reliance, as professionals outsource their reasoning and creativity to AI. The potential consequences for intellectual and professional growth are significant and cannot be ignored.
Recent research from the UK sheds more light on this issue. A study examining AI usage and critical thinking scores found that younger participants (ages 17–25) relied more heavily on AI tools than older participants (46+). Not surprisingly, those in the older age group scored higher in critical thinking. Dr. Gerlich, one of the researchers, explained: “Younger participants exhibited higher dependence on AI tools and lower critical thinking scores compared to older participants.”
This phenomenon, known as “cognitive offloading,” occurs when individuals delegate thinking and problem-solving tasks to external tools. Over time, this reliance diminishes the ability to think and solve problems independently. As the study authors noted, “This relationship underscores the dual-edged nature of AI technology. While it enhances efficiency and convenience, it inadvertently fosters dependence, which can compromise critical thinking skills over time.”
These findings are consistent with other studies showing that excessive use of AI tools can negatively impact critical thinking. However, the researchers also highlighted that AI tools can be valuable when used to complement critical thinking rather than replace it. They emphasized the need for strategies that integrate AI in ways that foster cognitive engagement, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against progress. In fact, I’m genuinely excited about the opportunities AI brings, especially when developed cautiously and within the bounds of existing legal frameworks. But let’s not forget the roots of AI. It was created by scientists to make human life better, to automate routine tasks. The question we must ask is: is our ability to think, create, and share analysis just another “routine task”?
For me, the ability to analyze, to truly think critically and creatively, goes far beyond what AI can achieve. Yes, AI, with its vast datasets and lightning-fast processing, surpasses us in gathering and synthesizing information. But what AI lacks—and will never possess—is our human imagination. Our creativity is fueled by a unique mix of knowledge, emotions, experience, and even humor.
Think about it: if creativity were just a matter of recombining existing pieces, all art, music, and cinema would feel the same. Yet, true originality persists. The same applies to scholarly work. We’re not writing scientific books by simply pasting together information from what we’ve read—at least, not all of us. The best examples of scholarship, like the works of Daniel Solove, stand as testaments to genuine intellectual creativity and insight. The best examples of books remind us that even when countless stories have already been told, there’s always room for something fresh, funny, and brilliantly creative. Just recently, I stumbled upon a real diamond in a place I wasn’t expecting—Stanley Tucci’s new book! What a creative gem it is! It’s proof that true talent and originality can still surprise and delight us, even in a world overflowing with content. Tucci’s work stands out as a reminder of how storytelling, infused with humor and authenticity, remains as vibrant as ever.
AI is a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool. It’s up to us to ensure it complements our human strengths rather than diminishing them.
You might wonder why I place so much emphasis on the correlation between AI and critical thinking. Perhaps it’s because my journey began as a university lecturer, working closely with the younger generation. This experience has made me deeply concerned about the non-legal and non-governance aspects of AI, particularly its impact on critical thinking.
As an AI governance professional, I can’t help but view the potential downgrading of people’s abilities—and society as a whole—as one of the most significant risks that AI brings. While AI offers incredible opportunities, we must remain vigilant about its unintended consequences, especially when it comes to fostering dependence at the cost of independent thought and creativity. This isn’t just a technical or regulatory issue; it’s a human one, and it matters deeply.
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