It is becoming more and more common for people to utilize AI such as ChatGPT to complete their work. In the context of learning, the brain and education, AI dependence has ramifications that we have only just begun to understand.

In 2025, MIT conducted a study that explored the neural and behavioural consequences of LLM-assisted essay writing. LLM-assistance is Large language models such as ChatGPT that can generate and revise text.

Read the article here.

The participants were divided into three groups that completed three sessions in their assigned method to complete essays.

• The AI user group.
• The Search Engine user group.
• The Brain-only user group.

In a fourth and final session, all participants were asked to use their Brain-only to complete an assignment.

The researcher used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess cognitive brain load during this final brain-only essay writing, and analyzed the essays using NLP, and scored essays by human teachers and an AI judge.

The EEG revealed that:

• The Brain-only Group had the strongest distributed brain network. This group had the highest memory recall and an activation of occipital-parietal and prefrontal areas of the brain.

• The Search Engine Group showed moderate brain engagement and cognitive strength.

• The AI-user Group displayed the weakest brain connectivity and showed reduced alpha and beta connectivity, meaning the brain is less engaged. Self reported ownership of essays was lowest in this group, and this group also struggled to accurately relate and quote their own work.

Over the course of four months, the AI-user group consistently underperformed in measurements of the brain, linguistics and behavioural tests.

This study shows that cognitive activity scales downward in relation to the increased use of AI assistance.

The more you rely on AI tools, the higher the costs to brain development and cognition. This study makes it clear that we should seriously evaluate and consider the effects of AI on learning and brain development and its use in learning platforms and models.

How is RESET Learning helping students in Vancouver with digital-free opportunities

RESET Learning is a digital-free learning environment. Students are asked to put away their devices and to activate both their bodies, through physical activity in our gym before sitting down to focus and put their "brains on" to support deep learning and understanding for the purpose of building lifelong learners and academic confidence.

The brain, like muscle, needs to work in order to grow. AI shortcuts may provide time savings by offering quick results, but over the long term the cost to the brain may not be worth it. What is most alarming is that this study showed that the cognitive loss isn't something that can be rectified at a later time. 

With this, it is clear that our children need opportunities to build their brain and learning capacity in an ever increasingly AI dominated world. Strong cognition is a lifelong gift that will not only support them in their future endeavours, but also in finding their purpose and meaning in life.