Is AI making you a worse business leader?
- sara438620
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Where once we were afraid that AI was going to “steal our jobs”, now we are leaning into the incredible opportunities various AI tools offer to make our tasks easier and quicker.
However, recent research has shown what some of us may have been afraid of – that the more we rely on AI, the more we need to rely on AI. And not only that. Consistent use of AI has been proven to actually weaken the brain’s cognitive processes required for critical thinking.
The reality is that, despite the dangers of consistently using AI, it’s not going anywhere and in fact its usage is likely to accelerate.
Fortunately, there are ways we can mitigate the effects that dangerously impair the reasons that make humans brilliant, while still staying competitive in our industry.
Does AI make you a worse thinker?
A groundbreaking new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) measuring cognitive function and AI use clearly shows what I have long suspected from my work with executives and team leaders. Regular reliance on AI can lead to weakened neural connections, impaired memory, and a decline in original thought and perspective.
The MIT study measured the brain activity of 54 participants as they wrote a series of essays over several months. Of the three groups studied, those using LLM (Large Language Model, like ChatGPT) showed the lowest levels of brain engagement and “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioural levels”. Over the course of several months, these users became “lazier with each subsequent essay, often even resorting to copy-and-paste by the end of the study.”
While I am not suggesting we discontinue using AI altogether, we must be intentional in how we do so. As leaders, we must carefully balance the desire to stay competitive and valuable in the workplace (the reality is that doing so will include use of AI) because it’s not going anywhere. However, we can’t rely on AI to do our job for us.
If we use AI consistently as a replacement for brain work, it will replace the effortful cognitive processes essential for independent thinking. Whilst having a “cruisier” time at work can be appealing, reducing mental effort now has a long-term cost. Our brain is like a muscle – “use it or lose it”. We are at risk of diminished critical thinking, increased susceptibility to manipulation, and decreased creativity.
How to keep AI from eroding your cognitive abilities
How do you reap the benefits of AI while keeping your critical thinking skills sharp? As someone who coaches business leaders, here’s what I propose:
Focus on developing the human skills that AI struggles to replicate, because these qualities will ensure you remain indispensable in the workplace of the future.
I suggest actively strengthening skills such as trend prediction, intuition, creativity, uniqueness, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. For tasks that demand originality or interpersonal engagement, like writing in your own voice, strategic planning, or complex problem-solving, it’s crucial to put in the mental work yourself.
Take the time to reflect, analyse, and break down the challenge FIRST. Identify your unique perspective or strategy. Use your intuitive and logical brain. Remember, the most successful professionals are those who stand out, not those who blend in. On the other hand, AI should be used for automatable tasks that don’t require as much creative or cognitive effort, such as data entry, simple bookkeeping, or diary management.
I also recommend using AI after foundational work has been done, to support neural integration and reinforce memory.
Finally, take every opportunity to train your brain. Even just five minutes a day learning a new skill helps maintain cognitive agility.
The article was originally featured on: https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/people-hr/leadership/is-ai-making-you-a-worse-business-leader
