The Cognitive Cost of LLMs: A Study on Essay Writing

A study investigating the cognitive cost of using Large Language Models (LLMs) in essay writing reveals potential negative impacts on learning. Participants were divided into three groups: LLM, search engine, and brain-only. EEG data showed that the LLM group exhibited weaker neural connectivity, lower engagement, and poorer performance in terms of essay ownership and recall, ultimately scoring lower than the brain-only group. The findings highlight potential downsides of LLM use in education and call for further research to understand the broader implications of AI on learning environments.