A growing body of research is highlighting how increasing reliance on digital tools and AI, including search engines and chatbots like ChatGPT, may be impairing our memory, attention, and ability to think critically — especially among younger users.
The phenomenon, often referred to as the “Google Effect” or “digital amnesia,” stems from the ease of access to information online. With answers just a click away, many people are no longer committing facts to memory, opting instead to search for them repeatedly when needed.
“It’s a real cognitive bias,” said Professor Barry O’Sullivan of University College Cork (UCC), explaining how our brains deprioritise storing information we know we can easily retrieve. “Writing is thinking. If you’re not the one doing the writing, then you’re not doing the thinking.”
O’Sullivan, an expert in artificial intelligence and computer science, warned that tools like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) — while useful — should be approached with caution. “They don’t reason like humans,” he said. “They can assist with tasks, but they remain unreliable and should not be a substitute for human judgement.”
His comments follow a recent study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which found that participants who used ChatGPT to write essays demonstrated lower brain engagement compared to those who relied solely on their own knowledge. Those who wrote without digital assistance reported feeling more satisfied and curious — and displayed higher levels of mental activity.
Behavioural scientist Claire Cogan of Behaviour Wise echoed these concerns, noting that the human brain naturally seeks shortcuts. “AI is affecting brain health and how we learn,” she said. “If used improperly, it can impact memory and attention.”
Still, both experts agree that AI has a valuable role in modern life, particularly in streamlining repetitive or time-consuming tasks. The key, they argue, is balance.
“As long as people retain responsibility for decision-making and use AI as a tool — not a crutch — it can be beneficial,” said Cogan. “But judgment, intuition, and critical thinking are uniquely human traits. We need to nurture those skills, not outsource them.”
Since the launch of Google in 1998, and now with the emergence of powerful generative AI tools, the way people seek and process information has changed drastically. But as concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and cognitive laziness mount, educators and employers are being urged to help people learn not just how to use these tools — but when not to.
“Ultimately, it’s about keeping our brains active and engaged,” said O’Sullivan. “If we give that up, we lose the very thing that makes us human.”
