Are AI chatbots making us lose control of our brains? (www.technologyreview.com)

At SXSW London, psychologist Gloria Mark raised concerns about the impact of digital technologies, especially AI chatbots, on our attention spans and cognitive abilities. Over the past two decades, her research indicates that average attention spans have plummeted from two and a half minutes in 2003 to just 47 seconds between 2014 and 2020. This frequent task-switching correlates with increased stress and diminished productivity, prompting Mark to suggest that reliance on AI for tasks such as summarizing or evaluating content reduces our depth of processing—essential for learning and retaining information. Significantly, Mark warns that this cognitive delegation to AI not only risks weakening our critical thinking skills but could also lead to a decline in emotional intelligence. With growing concerns about loneliness and a sense of purpose, she advocates for a conscious effort to engage more deeply with the world—like reading a book over skimming summaries or meeting friends in person. While recognizing the value of technology, Mark underscores the need for a balanced approach to foster healthier relationships with digital tools and mitigate potential negative effects on mental well-being.