Latest news with #SAT-style
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Science
- Business Insider
Is ChatGPT Dumbing Us Down? MIT Study Says Yes
Artificial intelligence might be getting smarter, but your brain might be doing the opposite. A new MIT study just dropped a bombshell: heavy reliance on ChatGPT can shrink cognitive effort, suppress brain activity, and kill memory retention. In plain terms, your brain could be coasting on autopilot while the AI does the heavy lifting. And that's not as smart as it sounds. Confident Investing Starts Here: Scientists Track Brainpower and Watch It Fade MIT researchers strapped EEG headsets onto 54 volunteers and tracked their brain activity while writing SAT-style essays. One group used ChatGPT, another used Google (GOOGL) Search, and the last went old school, relying on pure brainpower. The results were crystal clear. The ChatGPT users showed the weakest engagement. Their brains were quieter, less focused, and less activated in areas tied to memory, logic, and executive control. Even more revealing, the group relying solely on their own thinking outperformed others not just in neural engagement but also in writing quality and depth. They were thinking, processing, and retaining far more than the AI-assisted crowd. ChatGPT Users Took a Backseat, and It Showed What started as helpful guidance from ChatGPT quickly turned into full-on outsourcing. By the third writing session, users were simply typing the essay prompt into the chatbot, copying the answer, and pasting it into their work. No edits, no effort, no thought. Teachers described the work as polished but empty, technically correct but intellectually disengaged. This isn't just about laziness. It's about what happens when convenience starts replacing cognition. You stop challenging your memory, you stop pushing for clarity, and you stop engaging with the ideas you're writing about. That's a recipe for mental decline. Google Keeps the Brain Fired Up The group that used Google fared far better. Unlike ChatGPT, Google didn't hand them neatly packaged answers. It forced them to sift through sources, analyze content, and stitch together their own arguments. That friction kept their brains active. Their EEG readings stayed higher, their essays were more coherent, and they actually remembered what they had written. This matters because it shows that tech isn't the enemy, but how you use it is. Google helped support critical thinking, while ChatGPT replaced it. Once You Go Full AI, Bouncing Back Is Tough Even more concerning, the study found that switching away from ChatGPT didn't reverse the damage right away. People who started with AI and then went solo didn't show a quick recovery in brain engagement. Meanwhile, those who used their own brains first, then later tried ChatGPT, stayed sharper overall. It's like giving your brain a seatbelt before letting AI take the wheel. That early thinking effort makes a difference. MIT Coins a New Problem called Metacognitive Laziness Furthermore, lead researcher Nataliya Kosmyna warned that what we're seeing is not just a shift in learning, it's a drop in how we approach thinking itself. She calls it metacognitive laziness, the brain's natural tendency to let AI do the hard part when given the option. Instead of thinking about how we think, we're letting algorithms short-circuit the process. And that can have ripple effects far beyond one essay or school project. Kosmyna stresses that this is early data, based on 54 people and limited writing tasks. But the findings raise a red flag for schools rushing to embed AI tools into classrooms. If ChatGPT is replacing the hard work of learning, then educators need to hit pause, not plug in faster. Otherwise, we risk training a generation to look smart without being smart. And that's not progress, that's a problem. What Is the Best AI Stock to Buy Right Now? You can't buy OpenAI or ChatGPT stock, but if you're trying to tap into the AI boom without falling for the froth, Wall Street's got a shortlist of serious contenders. Based on data from TipRanks' Comparison tool, Nvidia (NVDA) still leads the charge in investor love with a 20.4 percent upside and a 'Strong Buy' consensus. It is the chip king behind nearly every AI breakthrough from ChatGPT to Tesla's Dojo, and its $3.51 trillion market cap proves it is more than a one-trick pony. But it is not the only contender. Amazon (AMZN) and Google (GOOGL) also hold 'Strong Buy' ratings with significant upside at 15.6 and 19.5 percent respectively. Microsoft (MSFT), meanwhile, is the quiet giant with its tight OpenAI partnership and 8.1 percent upside. Meta and Apple round out the tech elite, with Meta holding a pristine 10 Smart Score, suggesting it's got the tech, momentum, and analyst backing to keep climbing. Looking for safety with a sprinkle of AI? IBM's 'Moderate Buy' may surprise, but it scores a perfect 10 on the Smart Score and offers a rare 2 percent dividend yield.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Science
- Hans India
MIT study warns how ChatGPT weakens critical thinking
A new study from MIT's Media Lab is raising red flags about the impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT on human cognition—particularly among students. The study suggests that using ChatGPT for academic work may reduce brain activity, diminish creativity, and impair memory formation. The experiment involved 54 participants aged 18 to 39, who were divided into three groups: one using ChatGPT, another using Google Search, and a control group using neither. Each group was asked to write multiple SAT-style essays while wearing EEG devices to measure brain activity across 32 regions. Results showed ChatGPT users exhibited the lowest neural engagement, underperforming across behavioral, linguistic, and cognitive measures. Their essays were also deemed formulaic and lacking originality by English teachers. Alarmingly, as the study progressed over several months, many in the ChatGPT group abandoned active writing altogether, opting instead to copy-paste AI-generated responses with minimal editing. Lead author Nataliya Kosmyna explained her urgency to publish the findings ahead of peer review, saying, 'I'm afraid in 6-8 months some policymaker will propose 'GPT for kindergarten.' That would be absolutely detrimental to developing brains.' In contrast, the group that relied solely on their own brainpower showed stronger neural connectivity in alpha, theta, and delta bands—regions linked with creativity, memory, and semantic processing. These participants felt more ownership over their work and reported higher satisfaction. The Google Search group also demonstrated high engagement and satisfaction, suggesting traditional web research supports more active learning than LLM use. In a follow-up test, participants had to rewrite a previous essay—this time without their original tool. ChatGPT users struggled, barely recalling their previous responses, and showed weaker brain wave activity. In contrast, the brain-only group, now using ChatGPT for the first time, exhibited increased cognitive activity, suggesting that AI can support learning—but only when foundational thinking is already in place. Kosmyna warns that heavy AI use during critical learning phases could impair long-term brain development, particularly in children. Psychiatrist Dr. Zishan Khan echoed this concern: 'Overreliance on LLMs may erode essential neural pathways related to memory, resilience, and deep thinking.' Ironically, the paper itself became a case study in AI misuse. Some users summarized it using ChatGPT, prompting hallucinated facts—like falsely stating the version of ChatGPT used was GPT-4o. Kosmyna had anticipated this and included 'AI traps' in the document to test such behavior. MIT researchers are now expanding their work into programming and software engineering, and early results are even more troubling—suggesting broader implications for industries seeking to automate entry-level tasks. While previous studies have highlighted AI's potential to boost productivity, this research underscores the urgent need for responsible AI use in education, backed by policies that balance efficiency with brain development. OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, the debate on the role of AI in learning continues—with growing calls for regulation, transparency, and digital literacy.
India Today
19-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Is ChatGPT making us dumb? MIT study says students are using their brains less
ChatGPT is making students dumb! Or rather, making them use their brains less. A new study by MIT's Media Lab around the impact on human cognition, particularly among students, found that using generative AI tools like ChatGPT for academic work and learning could actually lower people's critical thinking and cognitive engagement over this study researchers observed 54 participants aged 18 to 39 from the Boston area, and divided them into three groups. Each group of students was then asked to write SAT-style essays using either OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Search, or no digital assistance at all. During this process, researchers monitored brain activity among users through electroencephalography (EEG), scanning 32 different brain regions to evaluate cognitive engagement during the findings were concerning. The group of students using ChatGPT showed the lowest levels of brain activity. According to the study, these students 'consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioural levels.' In fact, the study found that over the course of several essays, many ChatGPT users became increasingly passive, often resorting to just copying and pasting text from the AI chatbot's responses rather than refining or reflecting on the content in line with their own thoughts. Meanwhile, the students who worked without any digital tools showed the highest brain activity, particularly in regions associated with creativity, memory, and semantic processing. 'The task was executed, and you could say that it was efficient and convenient,' Nataliya Kosmyna, one of the authors of the research paper. 'But as we show in the paper, you basically didn't integrate any of it into your memory networks.'Long term impact suspectedadvertisementResearchers concluded that while AI can help students' quick productivity, it can also impact long-term learning and brain development. Meanwhile, the essay-writing group that used no tools reported higher levels of satisfaction and ownership over their work. In this group, the EEG readings also showed greater neural connectivity in the alpha, theta, and delta frequency bands, areas that are often linked to deep thinking and creative the group using Google Search showed relatively high levels of brain engagement, suggesting that traditional internet browsing still stimulates active thought processes. The difference further shows how AI users tend to rely entirely on chatbot responses for information instead of thinking critically or using search further understand and measure retention and comprehension, researchers also asked the students to rewrite one of their essays. And this time the tools were swapped. Students who earlier used ChatGPT were now asked to write without assistance, and the group which used their brain were asked to use AI. The results of this swapping further reinforced the earlier findings. The users who had relied on ChatGPT struggled to recall their original essays and showed weak cognitive re-engagement. Meanwhile, the group that had initially written without the online tools showed increased neural activity when using ChatGPT. This finding further confirms that AI tools can be helpful in learning, but only when used after humans complete the foundational thinking themselves.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
ChatGPT use may weaken critical thinking and memory, suggests new MIT study
A recent study by researchers at the MIT Media Lab has raised concerns over the impact of ChatGPT on young people's cognitive engagement and learning. Conducted over several months, the study involved 54 participants aged 18 to 39 from the Boston area. Each was asked to write SAT-style essays using either ChatGPT, Google Search, or no digital tool at all. The findings were striking. EEG scans tracking brain activity across 32 regions showed that participants using ChatGPT demonstrated the lowest levels of brain engagement. These users 'consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioural levels,' according to the researchers. Over time, the ChatGPT group grew increasingly passive, often resorting to copy-paste methods by the end of the study. Also read: Nvidia employee gives Indian parents tour of US office, internet moved by photo Lead researcher Nataliya Kosmyna explained why she chose to publish the findings before peer review. 'What really motivated me to put it out now before waiting for a full peer review is that I am afraid in 6–8 months, there will be some policymaker who decides, 'let's do GPT kindergarten.' I think that would be absolutely bad and detrimental,' she said. 'Developing brains are at the highest risk.' Participants in the 'brain-only' group, those who wrote essays without any assistance, showed the highest neural connectivity, particularly in the alpha, theta, and delta bands associated with creativity, memory, and semantic processing. This group also expressed more curiosity, ownership, and satisfaction with their work. Those using Google Search also exhibited high engagement and satisfaction. According to the researchers, this difference is notable as more users now turn to AI chatbots instead of traditional search engines to find information. After completing the essays, participants were asked to revise one of their earlier drafts. Those in the ChatGPT group, now writing without the tool, struggled to recall their previous work and showed lower brainwave activity. 'The task was executed, and you could say that it was efficient and convenient,' Kosmyna said. 'But as we show in the paper, you basically didn't integrate any of it into your memory networks.' In contrast, the brain-only group, when given access to ChatGPT for the rewrite, demonstrated increased brain connectivity, suggesting that AI can enhance learning if used after active, independent thinking. While the study has not yet been peer reviewed and involved a relatively small sample, it adds to a growing body of research at MIT examining the broader impact of generative AI. Previous studies from the lab have also linked extended AI use with increased feelings of loneliness. Also read: 'Complete breakdown during video call': Bengaluru man hospitalised after CEO's brutal outburst
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Army Hits Annual Recruiting Goal Months Ahead of Schedule
The Army announced Tuesday that it had already reached its annual goal of recruiting 61,000 active-duty soldiers, fueled by efforts to reach out to young Americans who historically have been unqualified to serve and likely a weakening economy. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have praised recruiting momentum as a sign of renewed patriotism among the nation's youth. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, credited the uptick to "a resurgence of pride in our country" and "a generation inspired by purpose and service." The service met the goal months ahead of schedule after it and the other military branches struggled in recent years with recruiting. The Army had set out to recruit 61,000 soldiers by the end of fiscal 2025, which is Sept. 30. Read Next: Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship The early success has prompted the Pentagon to consider the rare move of increasing the Army's end strength -- the total number of soldiers in its ranks. Among the options, the Pentagon could invoke a relatively obscure authority that allows the defense secretary to increase a service's end strength by up to 3% without congressional action. It is not yet clear what is driving the increase in recruiting after the Army and other services barely met their goals last year. But a variety of factors are likely at play. There is no evidence that the identity or rhetoric of any particular administration influences enlistment, as the motivation to serve is traditionally driven by economic opportunities and sometimes as a direct path for a young person to leave their hometown. The service also hit its less ambitious recruiting goal of 55,000 enlistments last year. Much of the Army's recruiting woes is attributable to a shrinking pool of young Americans eligible to serve. The Pentagon estimates just under one-quarter of 17- to 24-year-olds can meet enlistment standards, namely passing the SAT-style entrance exam and meeting body weight requirements. Some service officials and experts have tied recent recruiting struggles to the military being out of the cultural zeitgeist. A sharp increase in the number of required medical waivers has complicated the effort to bring Americans into the service -- driven in part by the implementation of Military Health System Genesis, a digital health record system that provides the military with unprecedented access to applicants' medical histories. Recruiters say the system often flags minor or outdated health issues, causing enlistments to stall or be denied unnecessarily. Internal Army data shows that medical waivers have nearly tripled, rising from 5,300 in 2022 to almost 15,000 in 2024. At the same time, the Army has relaxed some of its standards related to criminal history. In 2022, it approved the enlistment of 98 individuals with felony convictions -- a number that climbed to 401 in 2024. However, officials noted that applicants with convictions related to sexual offenses remain ineligible for service. But central to the turnaround is the Future Soldier Preparatory Courses, a program launched in 2022 that provides academic and fitness instruction for applicants who fall short of enlistment standards. As part of the prep courses, an applicant moves onto basic training once they're in compliance with service standards. As of Friday, 10,465 troops had gone through at least one of those courses this year, according to data provided by the service. The service loses nearly one-quarter of its fresh enlistees within the first two years of their contract, mostly due to injuries, health concerns or disciplinary problems, internal service data shows. Troops who attend the prep courses have about a 25% attrition rate, compared to 20% of soldiers who enlisted straight into basic training. Meanwhile, a softening economy could also factor into wider interest in military service. Trump's ongoing trade war and economic instability caused a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of this year, the worst quarterly performance in three years. Youth unemployment has also edged upward as companies cut back on entry-level hiring amid volatility in the tech sector and the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence in some companies. Among the Army's recruits counted for this year, 11,000 joined last year through the delayed-entry program, which allows young applicants, primarily high school seniors, to commit to service early and ship to basic training after they graduate. That figure is more than double the program's usual size, a temporary surge made necessary by training backlogs last year. In response, the Army expanded the number of basic training companies this year to process the larger pipeline. For the rest of the fiscal year, all new recruits will be entered in the delayed-entry program and thus will be counted in next year's recruiting numbers. Related: 'Last Stop USA': How the Army Is Trying to Fill in for a Broken Education System
