Becoming smarter and less reliant on GenAI
Nigel P. Daly, PhD 戴 禮
Coaching Communication-and-Language Fitness (CLF) + Performance enhancing AI ??+??=? | Writer | Applied Linguistics Researcher
Is GenAI amplifying Human potential or eroding it? For many of us, it's certainly reshaping how we think, reason, and solve problems. And for many, AI reliance is eroding human cognitive capabilities and leading to “cognitive bleed”.
Critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making are the backbone of innovation and self-fulfillment for knowledge workers. But these skills are at risk as employees increasingly rely on AI for tasks like problem-solving and content creation.
Left unchecked, this trend could create a workforce that’s efficient but intellectually complacent. And increasingly unconfident and unfulfilled.
?In a wonderfully concise and actionable article, Dana Daher and Joel M. from HSF discuss the risks of AI reliance and strategies to enhance human-AI collaborative intelligence.
The 3 waves of AI reliance and cognitive transformation
?1. The Age of Access (2007–2015): Instant access to knowledge (e.g., Google) weakened memory reliance and deep focus.
2. The Age of Conformity (2015–2023): Social media algorithms reinforced biases and discouraged critical analysis.
3. The Age of Complacency (2023–Present): GenAI automates entire cognitive workflows, threatening to eliminate deep engagement.
This shift isn’t just changing work—it’s reshaping the human mind. When we stop struggling through complex reasoning, we risk losing the ability to think critically and solve unique problems.
Why is this a problem?
1. Delayed expertise development: AI shortcuts hinder real-world learning.
2. Erosion of independent thinking: Overreliance on AI reduces problem-solving skills.
3. Diminished leadership readiness: Lack of critical decision-making experiences leaves employees unprepared for leadership roles.
So, what can we do?
领英推荐
5 steps to enhance collaborative intelligence and cognitive resilience
1. Augment, don’t autopilot: Train employees to see AI as a tool, not a crutch
2. Introduce AI friction points: Ensure workflows include human validation for AI outputs
3. Create AI-free zones: Encourage critical tasks like brainstorming to remain human-led
4. Train leaders for balance: Equip managers to manage the human-AI dynamic effectively
5. Mandate AI literacy: Make understanding AI’s capabilities and risks a core competency
In my own personal journey towards cognitive resilience, I have found step 2 AI-friction points ?and step 3 AI-free cognitive strengthening crucial.
In my cognitive work, I have been weaning myself off of excessive genAI use by integrating different media and different modes of analog thought-communication by using paper, printouts, and notebooks in addition to keyboards and screens.
Specifically, I have reverted increasingly to handwriting and sometimes even speaking:
The Bottom Line?
Whether AI amplifies or erodes human ingenuity depends on how knowledge workers and leaders integrate it.
Have you developed similar workflows to resist AI reliance and to exercise your critical thinking muscles?
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Assistant Professor at Ming Chuan University
3 天前This was the most important aspect of my keynote workshop yesterday at the 26th International Conference and Workshop on TEFL & Applied Linguistics at Ming Chuan University in Taipei. It's great that so many people working on Human-AI collaboration are thinking and moving in similar directions! An early slide from my presentation: