The AI Dilemma and Digital Amnesia
Today, during lunch, I reminded my kid about an online workshop on birds. Curious, my wife asked him, “What’s the workshop about?” My son eagerly explained the session’s details, sharing how he was excited to learn about bird species and their characteristics. My wife, being practical and tech-savvy, replied, “But we have Google and AI tools that can identify birds instantly. Why spend hours learning about them?”
His response? “That’s like cheating our brain.”
I was taken aback, not by the fact that he disagreed, but by how quickly he responded and how profound his observation was. In that brief exchange, I saw the reflection of an important debate that many parents, educators, and society as a whole are having today: Is too much dependence on AI tools undermining human cognitive development?
This conversation stayed with me long after lunch, leading me to reflect on the subtle but important conflict between relying on AI and nurturing the brain’s natural learning process. If you’ve followed my previous articles, especially "Encouraging Critical Thinking and Creativity in the Age of AI," you know that this is a topic close to my heart. But today, I want to explore this concern even further.
AI and the Decline of Brain Utilization
We live in an age where knowledge is no longer locked within the pages of books or hidden behind the gates of libraries. It’s readily accessible, thanks to smartphones, search engines, and AI tools. Need to identify a bird? Just snap a photo and let AI tell you everything you need to know. This instant access to information is undeniably useful—but at what cost?
When children (or adults) consistently turn to AI for answers, they skip a crucial process: the act of struggling with a question, exploring possibilities, recalling facts, and making connections. This process is what exercises and strengthens the brain, much like lifting weights strengthens muscles. Without it, the brain’s capacity for logical reasoning, problem-solving, and creative thinking gradually atrophies.
Several research in cognitive psychology confirms this. Studies on memory retrieval and neuroplasticity show that the brain requires challenges to build and maintain neural pathways. Repeated learning, active recall, and connecting knowledge to real-world contexts lead to deeper understanding and long-term retention. In contrast, passively receiving information, as one often does when relying on AI, leads to shallow learning, where facts are quickly forgotten, and critical thinking skills are underdeveloped.
Hand a child a gadget, and they’ll find an answer. Involve them in a science project, and they’ll discover how to think, create, and remember. The real growth of the brain lies in the process, not the shortcut.
A Science Fiction Scenario or a Possible Reality?
When I reflect on the potential long-term consequences of this, I am reminded of the quote I learned during my schooling: “Science is a good slave but a bad master.” Replace "science" with "AI," and the message remains equally relevant today. If we fail to balance our dependency on AI with the need to cultivate the natural abilities of the human mind, we risk creating a generation that is unable to think critically or independently. This is where AI’s “war on humanity” begins—not through some apocalyptic robot uprising, but through the slow and quiet erosion of human intellect and creativity.
It may sound like a science fiction plot, but many experts agree that the risk is real. Research by Sparrow, Liu, and Wegner, published in Science, demonstrated that when individuals rely heavily on external memory aids (such as digital devices or search engines), they experience a decline in their ability to recall information independently. This phenomenon, often referred to as digital amnesia, highlights how the brain tends to offload cognitive functions to external sources, gradually weakening its natural capacity for information retention and retrieval. This phenomenon is often referred to as digital amnesia—a state where the brain offloads cognitive functions to external sources and gradually loses its ability to perform them efficiently. The Kaspersky Lab report further reinforces this concern, showing that more than 90% of individuals surveyed admitted to using digital devices as an extension of their memory. As a result, many no longer remember important details like phone numbers or birthdays, illustrating how convenience can lead to diminished reliance on internal memory and long-term cognitive decline.
The danger here isn’t just individual forgetfulness. When large groups of people become dependent on AI to answer questions, solve problems, or make decisions, society as a whole may suffer from diminished creativity, innovation, and productivity.
Why a Strong Foundation Matters: Learning, Memorizing, Recalling
As I see it, the solution lies in how we approach early education and cognitive development. At a young age, children’s brains are like sponges, capable of absorbing vast amounts of information and forming the neural networks that will support lifelong learning. But to fully develop these networks, they need to engage in activities that promote memory formation, logical reasoning, and creative problem-solving.
Key foundational elements:
Learning: Exposure to new concepts through reading, observation, and exploration.
Memorizing: Actively practicing and recalling facts, which strengthens neural pathways.
Recalling and Applying: Connecting previously learned knowledge to new situations, which leads to deeper understanding and problem-solving.
Without these building blocks, children risk becoming passive consumers of information rather than active learners. AI may help them answer a question today, but will they remember or understand that information tomorrow? More importantly, will they know how to apply it in real-world situations?
Under the stars, curiosity ignites. It's not the telescope that shapes a child’s future—it's the questions they ask, the wonder they feel, and the discoveries they seek.
AI Dependency: The Silent Threat to Work Quality and Innovation
Another concern is how early dependence on AI could affect future work quality and productivity. Many professions—scientists, engineers, doctors, writers—require the ability to analyze information, draw inferences, and create solutions. If future generations grow up relying on AI for even the most basic tasks, they may struggle to develop the depth of knowledge and creative thinking needed for innovation.
Imagine a marathon runner who uses a bike to train instead of running. Sure, they’ll cover the distance quickly, but when it comes time to compete in the race, they won’t have the endurance or muscle memory to succeed. Similarly, children who take shortcuts in learning by relying on AI may find themselves ill-equipped to face challenges that require sustained mental effort.
AI as an Aid, not a Crutch
I’m not advocating for the complete rejection of AI or technological tools. They have their place in education and can be incredibly beneficial when used correctly. For example, AI can personalize learning experiences, provide instant feedback, and simulate complex scenarios that would be difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom.
However, we must be intentional about how and when these tools are used. At a young age, it’s essential to prioritize activities that develop the brain’s core functions—reading books, solving problems manually, engaging in hands-on projects, and having discussions that encourage critical thinking. These activities lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and intellectual growth.
A Thoughtful Approach to Education in the AI Era
That lunchtime conversation with my child was a simple moment, but it carried a profound lesson. His instinctive response—“It’s like cheating our brain”—reminded me that children are more aware of these issues than we often give them credit for. It’s up to us, as parents and educators, to guide them toward a balanced relationship with technology—one where AI serves as a helpful assistant, but never a replacement for human effort and curiosity.
If we can achieve this balance, we won’t just be raising children who know how to find answers. We’ll be raising thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers who understand how to arrive at those answers and why they matter. In the end, that’s what will keep humanity ahead in the age of AI.