Study: Overusing ChatGPT May Weaken Independent Thinking

A small study from ISC Paris in France, published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, found that relying too much on AI tools like ChatGPT may reduce independent thinking, increase self-doubt, and worsen social isolation. Researchers interviewed 45 French daily ChatGPT users aged 18-25. Some said that after getting used to instant answers, their attention spans shortened, memory weakened, and they doubted their own decisions more. The team links this to 'cognitive offloading,' where people use external tools to store and process information, reducing reliance on their own minds. Some heavy users even preferred chatting with bots over friends or colleagues, leading to loneliness. However, those who used ChatGPT selectively, as a brainstorming partner, reported more confidence and creativity. The study only included 45 young French users, so findings can't be generalized, and larger, longer studies are needed.