A new study from MIT’s Media Lab shows the correlation of tool use (in three groups: ChatGPT, Google Search, and no tool use) with brain activity. With the caveat that this is a small study, the results are not pretty:
EEG analysis presented robust evidence that LLM, Search Engine and Brain-only groups had significantly different neural connectivity patterns, reflecting divergent cognitive strategies. Brain connectivity systematically scaled down with the amount of external support: the Brain‑only group exhibited the strongest, widest‑ranging networks, Search Engine group showed intermediate engagement, and LLM assistance elicited the weakest overall coupling.
As the study concludes: “We demonstrate the pressing matter of exploring a possible decrease in learning skills.” Ouch.
