When Thinking Becomes Optional: The Cognitive Cost of AI Dependence - Ghazal Hussain

Year
2026
Summary

This research investigates how reliance on AI systems affects human cognition and reasoning. Using concepts from cognitive offloading, the study compares AI-assisted and independent problem solving, measuring verification behavior, reasoning depth, and decision confidence. The work explores whether increasingly capable AI tools may unintentionally reduce critical thinking and human expertise.