MIT Study: ChatGPT Causes Cognitive Decline in Essay Writing

An MIT study reveals that using ChatGPT for essay writing leads to measurable cognitive harm. EEG scans showed weakened neural connectivity, impaired memory, and reduced sense of authorship in students who repeatedly used the AI. Even with high-scoring essays, the brain's engagement was significantly reduced. The study found that LLMs cause under-engagement of critical brain networks, and even after ceasing AI use, cognitive function doesn't fully recover. This 'cognitive offloading' leads to long-term impairment of learning and creativity.