Does AI Use Really Reduce "Critical Thinking?"

Lots of people, and some studies, might suggest frequent use of artificial intelligence reduces the ability to think critically, generally thought to include skills such as:

• Analysis: Breaking down information into its components, identifying underlying structures, and understanding relationships among ideas.

• Interpretation: Understanding and explaining the meaning of information, data, or events.

• Evaluation: Assessing the credibility, strength, and relevance of arguments, evidence, and sources.

• Inference: Drawing conclusions from available information and recognizing possible implications or consequences.

• Explanation: Clearly and coherently expressing one’s reasoning and justifying conclusions.

• Self-regulation: Monitoring and correcting one’s own thinking processes and biases.

• Open-mindedness: Considering alternative viewpoints and being willing to revise one’s own beliefs in light of new evidence.

• Problem-solving: Identifying problems, generating solutions, and implementing effective strategies.

• Creativity: Making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and generating innovative solutions.

• Communication: Effectively articulating ideas, listening to others, and engaging in constructive dialogue.

Be honest: how many people do you actually know these days who actually are good at critical thinking? 

Maybe studies of AI chatbot use on “critical thinking” only measure pre-existing propensities. If you have ever taught college students, in the days before AI existed, you might already believe that critical thinking skills are unevenly distributed, and it has nothing to do with AI. 

You might also tend to believe that graduate school often sharpens such skills far more than did your undergraduate education. If so, then more education might enhance critical thinking skills to a significant extent. 

The rejoinder might be that all of us might have experienced some lack of proficiency in one or more of the bullet points noted above, ranging from ability to evaluate sources to remaining open minded. 

That noted, at least some studies suggest a possible link between use of AI chatbots and a decline of “critical thinking.” 

Factor	Negative Impact on Critical Thinking	Neutral or Positive Impact on Critical Thinking
Frequent, passive use	Yes 1,2,3	—
Thoughtful, interactive use	—	Yes 5
Younger age	Yes 1,2	—
Higher education	—	Yes 1, 2
Low motivation	Yes 4, 5	—