The first brain study of people after using ChatGPT yielded "terrifying results"

The first-ever study of the human brain after using the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT showed "horrifying results," writes LADBible.

In a new study conducted by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "horrifying results" of artificial intelligence's impact on human cognitive abilities were identified. During the experiment, 54 students performed essay writing tasks and were divided into three groups: some could use ChatGPT and other language models, others could use internet search, and the third group worked without any external assistance.

Scientists tracked participants' brain activity using electroencephalography. It turned out that those who regularly used AI showed a significant decrease in cognitive activity. They had worse memory retention, experienced difficulties formulating thoughts, and showed signs of reduced mental workload. The effect was especially noticeable after four months of constant use of large language models.

When participants were asked to switch groups, those who transitioned from AI to independent work could not quickly restore their level of cognitive function. At the same time, students who started using AI after working without it temporarily increased productivity but also showed a decline over time.

Experts noted that while artificial intelligence can be a useful tool, its excessive use can negatively affect learning and the development of critical thinking. This is especially relevant for educational institutions, where dependence on such technologies can lead to a decrease in the quality of knowledge.

In addition to issues related to cognitive development, the study also touched on the environmental aspect. It was found that each query to systems like ChatGPT requires significant energy resources. For example, every 10-50 queries require about 50 ml of water for server cooling. Adding extra words or formalities increases the volume of data processing and increases energy consumption.