ChatGPT's Impact on Critical Thinking Skills

A fascinating study by MIT revealed what many already suspected, that ChatGPT (and likely similar forms of AI) are negatively impacting the development and use of critical thinking skills. The study placed adults aged 18-39 into three groups: ChatGPT, Google search engine, and the brain only group (i.e., no tech assistance). The groups were then asked to write several SAT essays. The results indicated that the group that could use ChatGPT has the lowest brain engagement and became lazier over time, eventually using copy and paste to write the essays. The ChatGPT essays were very similar and lacked individuality and engagement. The group that could not access ChatGPT or Google search engine showed the highest neural connectivity, indicating that they were more engaged and interactive with the material, and produced more creative essays. That group reported feeling a greater sense of ownership and feeling more satisfied with their written products. The final group, the Google search engine group, also used more critical thinking skills, had more ownership of the final products, and were more satisfied that the ChatGPT group.

One common discussion point that teens often bring up is that ChatGPT is a fast way to learn new things. This study does not actually support that claim. When the groups were asked to rewrite their essays, the finding was fascinating. When the ChatGPT group was asked to rewrite one of their previous essays, they did not remember much of what they had previously written. They had not learned the material.

So what's the point? How does this relate to children and adolescents?

This study has significant implications for young learners whose brains are still developing.

• The use of ChatGPT and other AI tools as the first or sole strategy for learning or writing may result in less practice in building the critical thinking 'muscle', less engagement, less effort to learning, and less learning.

• The use of ChatGPT and other AI tools as a first or sole strategy may result in less ownership in learning and in less confidence in what one knows over time. Ownership and confidence, of course, develop through the hard work of critical thinking and problem solving.

  
  

How can we help kids develop critical thinking skills within the context of modern AI?

It is important for us to be realistic about the environment in which our children are developing. AI is here and, most likely, here to stay. AI isn't an enemy but should be considered as one tool among many that can help our children learn. Parents and educators can teach kids about how AI works and its limitations. We can teach kids how it impacts long-term learning. AI can be used as one part of the learning process (e.g., as a way to get additional ideas for an idea once the student has already practiced brainstorming on their own). Children and adolescents must learn and practice critical thinking skills such as writing before we hand them AI tools (similar to the way we teach mathematical reasoning before allowing children to use calculators). We should ask children why they accepted or rejected certain AI ideas and praise them for using their own critical thinking skills. Praise them for being creative and original. Monitor the use of AI to ensure it is being used appropriately. As always, balance screen time with tech-free time to ensure that kids get opportunities to practice critical reasoning, writing, and memory building without AI tools.

The text above is a summary of an article about the study. Please visit the following link for the article: ChatGPT's Impact On Our Brains According to an MIT Study | TIME