Massachusetts: A new study by the MIT Media Lab has raised concerns over the cognitive and emotional impact of AI chatbot use, particularly ChatGPT. The research observed 54 adults aged 18–39 and found that prolonged ChatGPT use reduced brain activity in areas responsible for memory and attention.
Using EEG scans, the team noted that users became slower and more passive over time, often resorting to copy-pasting during tasks. Compared to Google users or those working unaided, ChatGPT users showed diminished cognitive engagement.
Another MIT study found that text-based interactions with ChatGPT also heightened feelings of loneliness, especially among younger users who confided in personal matters. Voice interactions were less harmful, but emotional dependence still emerged.
While these findings are not yet peer-reviewed, experts say they signal a need to better understand AI’s effects on the brain and emotional health, particularly in young users increasingly turning to AI for help and companionship.
