DIGITAL LIFE

Science's warning about the impact of letting artificial intelligence think for us

Researchers warn: the more we delegate to artificial intelligence, the more we risk losing something essentially human—the ability to reflect and understand the world autonomously. Science is beginning to reveal the consequences of a future where machines make decisions for us.

We live in an era where technology not only makes life easier, but also shapes our way of thinking. Artificial intelligence, present in schools, businesses, and even in everyday conversations, raises a troubling question: what happens when we stop thinking for ourselves and start relying on algorithms to interpret reality?

During a meeting of the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), neuroscientist Florencia Labombarda, a researcher at CONICET, issued a stark warning: blind trust in artificial intelligence may be altering the way we reason.

According to her, humans have a natural tendency to delegate decisions to authority figures—and today, algorithms have taken over that role. "We've turned AI into a source of authority. This is a bias we ourselves have created," Labombarda stated during the CONEXOS series. This transfer of cognitive power may seem harmless, but it has profound implications for intellectual autonomy.

The silent impact from childhood...One of the most sensitive points highlighted by the researcher concerns new generations. The excessive use of AI-based tools, especially among children and adolescents, can harm the development of critical thinking. "The brain loses training when we let machines think for us," she warned.

The key concept, according to Labombarda, is metacognition—the ability to understand how and why we think. Teaching young people to use AI as a support, not a substitute for reflection, is essential to prevent the atrophy of their own reasoning. Without this balance, we run the risk of creating generations that rely more on automatic responses than on personal analysis.

The dangers, however, extend beyond the cognitive realm. Labombarda also drew attention to the emotional effects of interacting with machines that simulate empathy. Many AI tools are programmed to please, but they don't feel or understand. "It's crucial that children understand that there's not a person on the other end, but an algorithm," she emphasized.

This illusion of companionship can create an emotional deficit: believing that there's emotional reciprocity in a conversation that, in reality, is mediated by codes and calculations. Over time, this can weaken social skills and the perception of genuine human connection.

Recovering the human in the digital world...Awarded the title "Scientists Who Count 2023," Labombarda reinforces the need to revalue real connections in an era dominated by screens and artificial intelligence. "We've already lost the first game with social media, but we can still win the second with AI," she stated. The final message is simple but urgent: artificial intelligence can be a powerful ally, as long as it doesn't replace what makes us human—our ability to think, question, and feel.

Coexistence, not replacement...The scenario in which AI "thinks for us" is not ideal. The most promising and ethical future involves a collaboration between humans and AI, where artificial intelligence serves as a tool to augment our capabilities, rather than replace them. The key is to use AI to automate routine tasks, while humans retain control over critical thinking, creativity, ethics, and empathy. The question is not whether AI will think for us, but rather how we can use it responsibly to advance human development, without losing the qualities that make us unique.

mundophone