A recent study conducted by Dr. Michael Gerlich at SBS Swiss Business School in Zurich, Switzerland, has shed light on the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on critical thinking skills across various age groups. Published in the journal Societies on January 15, 2025, the research involved 666 participants from the UK, categorized into three age groups: 17-25, 26-45, and 46 and older.
Dr. Gerlich focused on a phenomenon known as 'cognitive offloading', which occurs when individuals rely on external aids, such as AI, to perform cognitive tasks, thereby reducing their engagement in deep, reflective thinking. He noted, 'This phenomenon is particularly concerning in the context of critical thinking, which requires active cognitive engagement to analyze and evaluate information effectively.'
The study utilized a 23-item questionnaire to measure AI tool usage, cognitive offloading tendencies, and critical thinking skills, along with semi-structured interviews with 50 participants for deeper contextual analysis. Results indicated that younger participants (ages 17-25) were more dependent on AI tools and exhibited lower critical thinking scores compared to older individuals, who tended to use AI less frequently and scored higher in critical thinking.
Dr. Gerlich emphasized the implications of these findings, stating, 'Higher educational attainment was associated with better critical thinking skills, regardless of AI usage.' He advocates for educational strategies that promote critical engagement with AI technologies to counterbalance reliance on them.
In conclusion, while AI can assist in learning basic skills, it poses potential risks to critical thinking abilities. Dr. Gerlich suggests that educational institutions should prioritize critical thinking exercises and metacognitive skill development to mitigate the cognitive effects of AI reliance.