"Just use AI"

Introduction

Many people nowadays are saying "Just use AI" when it comes to doing pretty much any task. This reminds me of the time our Math professor referenced an article with the title "Is Google making us stupid" by Nicholas Carr on the Atlantic to differentiate the completion of the task from the knowledge of the individual executing that task.

This article takes a different approach in elaborating as to why the individual should only use AI as an assistant as opposed to totally depending on it.

The human knowledge

In his 2008 essay Is Google Making Us Stupid?, Nicholas Carr reflects on how the internet is reshaping our cognitive abilities, noting, "Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski." (Goodreads). This shows the difference between someone who is an intellectual and someone else who can only get the job done and forget the details of what it was shortly afterwards.

Studies

Studies have shown that when used appropriately, AI can significantly boost productivity. For instance, research from MIT Sloan indicates that generative AI can enhance the performance of highly skilled workers by nearly 40% compared to those who don't use it. However, over-reliance on AI can lead to diminished critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Another study by MIT Media Lab and OpenAI found that excessive use of AI tools such as Chat GPT may result in emotional dependence and problematic behaviors, such as reduced autonomy and confidence in personal decision-making. (Business Insider)

Conclusion

Striking the right balance in AI dependence can be visualized as a normal distribution curve, where the "sweet spot" lies at the peak—representing optimal integration of AI assistance without compromising human agency. This equilibrium ensures that AI serves as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than supplant them. After all, AI should be in the passenger seat, assisting the driver rather than taking the wheel.

Image credit: Generated by Claude AI

Final Words

Ironically, this exploration of AI’s role was conducted with the assistance of both Chat GPT and Claude AI. Yet, the verification and organization of information were carefully managed to maintain the integrity of the information presented in this article.

Cheers!