In a striking new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that long-term use of artificial intelligence tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT may lead to cognitive decline, particularly in critical thinking and neural engagement.
Published by The Hill and led by neuroscientist Nataliya Kosmyna, the study explores the neurological impact of large language models (LLMs) on users over an extended period. The research divided participants into three groups: one using ChatGPT, one using Google’s search engine, and a third group relying solely on their own mental faculties—dubbed the “brain-only” group.
Participants were asked to write SAT-style essays while their brain activity was monitored via electroencephalography (EEG). The findings were revealing. Over several months, the group using ChatGPT exhibited the lowest levels of brain activity, as well as reduced performance on neural, linguistic, and behavioral assessments. Initially, these users engaged ChatGPT for structural advice, but as the study progressed, they increasingly defaulted to copying the AI-generated content outright.
In contrast, the Google search group showed moderate levels of brain activity, while the “brain-only” group demonstrated the most robust and diverse neural engagement. According to Kosmyna, these results raise urgent concerns about the growing reliance on AI tools for cognitive tasks—especially among young, developing minds.
“I am afraid in 6-8 months, there will be some policymaker who decides, ‘let’s do GPT kindergarten,’” Kosmyna told TIME. “I think that would be absolutely bad and detrimental.”
The MIT findings come at a time when global leaders are voicing increasing alarm about the influence of AI on young people. Speaking to a conference on AI ethics held in part at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV echoed similar concerns.
“All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,” the pontiff stated, as reported by the Associated Press. “Authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life than with the availability of data.”
The Pope’s comments draw a parallel to his predecessor Leo XIII, who navigated the societal upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. Pope Leo XIV sees the AI revolution as a similarly transformative—and potentially destabilizing—moment for humanity.
The emerging body of research and growing chorus of public figures point to a need for urgent regulation and a more cautious societal approach to AI integration—particularly in education and child development. While tools like ChatGPT offer convenience and efficiency, their long-term cognitive and psychological impacts are only beginning to surface.
As the world races to adopt artificial intelligence in nearly every sector, the warnings from scientists, spiritual leaders, and public figures serve as a sobering reminder: serious consequences often accompany powerful technology.
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Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
I suspect the ability to write “SAT style essays” means nothing in the real world and never has.
Would it be possible to get a link to the source paper referenced for this article? Thank you.