With one push of a button and just typing a few words, you’re given an answer. Granted, maybe you have to do a little editing here and there, but who can blame you? You’re tired, and AI just makes it so easy. 

Yes, AI can be a helpful tool, but it also comes with the downside of being an easy copout, diminishing critical thinking skills and limiting the ability to be creative. This leads to the question: How much do you really learn when using AI? Are you still gaining something; are you still learning? 

Researchers at MIT put this question to the test with three experimental groups. One group used AI to generate the essay (the LLM group), another group was able to use Google with no AI features (the Search Engine group), and the final group didn’t use any outside tool (the Brain-only group). Electroencephalography (EEG) analysis was used to track neural connectivity patterns in the participants because higher neural connectivity is associated with deeper cognitive engagement and stronger learning. The results showed that the Brain-only group exhibited the strongest, widespread neural networks. On the other hand, the Search Engine group had a moderate neural response while the LLM group showed the weakest signaling. 

Furthermore, the researchers continued this study by shifting the Brain-only group participants to using LLM and the LLM group to only using their brains, observing that the Brain to LLM group actually displayed higher neural connectivity than the LLM group in the previous experiment. On the other hand, the LLM to Brain-only group did demonstrate improvement in neural connectivity but couldn’t match up to the brain performance shown by the original Brain-only group.

It’s suggested that AI should be used with caution in an academic setting. It can be useful, as seen with the Brain to LLM group where high-performance brain activity was sustained when participants first worked by themselves and then used AI, activating memory recall and strengthening neural connections. However, when used from the beginning, AI might not be the best option for learning.  AI can support the learning process, but make sure to think before you ask it to think for you. 

Sources:

https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/your-brain-on-chatgpt/overview/

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872