The Age of De-Skilling
Will AI stretch our minds—or stunt them? This question has been debated, with concerns about the impact of AI on human intelligence.
First published in The Atlantic on October 26, 2025, the discussion has shifted from the fear of a runaway intelligence to the anxiety of atrophy, with the rise of chatbots becoming more commonplace.
“Your Brain on ChatGPT.” “AI Is Making You Dumber.” “AI Is Killing Critical Thinking.”
Teachers have expressed concerns about the effects of AI on critical thinking, referring to the phenomenon as "de-skilling".
Author's summary: AI's impact on human intelligence is a growing concern.