MIT study reveals over-reliance on AI chatbots weakens critical thinking and misinformation detection

Relying heavily on AI chatbots can weaken critical-thinking skills and the ability to detect misinformation, a new MIT study found. The research tracked participants over four weeks, showing that while AI improved immediate accuracy in identifying fake news, unassisted performance worsened significantly. This cognitive dependency mirrors concerns about other technologies and highlights the need for AI to foster, not hinder, independent judgment.