GenAI rewiring human creativity

GenAI is often talked about as a tool enhancing or augmenting human creativity. And so, it is held, more generally, AI is freeing up routine or surface thinking for more complex, deeper cognitive activities. That is, the benefits from using AI are dependent on the complexity of task at hand as well as the users' educational attainment. For example, studies have found that with higher education levels there's greater scepticism toward AI outputs. But what if GenAI tool usage is capable of substituting human creativity? An online sample study of some 600 participants in the UK, showed that with people employing GenAI tools as substitutes and not supplements to routine tasks, there is a 'significant negative correlation between the frequent use of AI tools and critical thinking abilities'. Or, in another study, it was found that AI offers speed and efficiency, but by removing opportunity for independent thought*. So, while GenAI is proving impactful, the jury is still out on what is actually happening. Psychologists call it cognitive offloading as the result of the seductive reality of GenAI, offering users perceived speed, efficiency, and value that can be attained with minimal effort. But does it matter that GenAI is potentially undermining critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills? Aside from original, creative thought, which is at the core of being human, critical thinking helps assure informed citizens, strengthen democracy, boost innovation, improve problem-solving, reduce bias, and much more besides, leading to better communities and social networks. * https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-art-of-critical-thinking/202512/is-generative-ai-rewiring-our-brains-heres-how-it-happens