From www.goingconcern.com: A study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University indicates that the reliance on generative AI (GenAI) in knowledge work may lead to a reduction in critical thinking skills among workers, as they exert less cognitive effort when using these tools.

The research surveyed knowledge workers and found that higher confidence in GenAI correlates with decreased critical thinking engagement, while self-confidence in their own abilities promotes more critical thinking.

Participants reported that the use of GenAI often results in increased verification efforts due to inaccuracies in AI responses, despite perceiving a reduction in cognitive effort across various critical thinking tasks.