MEDIA COMMENTARY: Copy-pasting? AI is taking away ‘critical thinking’, experts say

Skills are like any muscle; if they aren’t regularly exercised, they will become weaker,' said one expert

With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, HR and recruitment experts are raising concerns that overreliance on the technology may be encouraging laziness and negatively affecting critical thinking skills.

This weakening of critical thinking could also impact employees' career growth.

A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 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) showed the lowest levels of brain engagement and “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioural levels.”

Over several months, these users became “lazier with each subsequent essay, often resorting to copy-and-paste by the end of the study.”

The power of AI

According to a study conducted by Stanford University, the UAE has been ranked fifth globally in terms of countries leading in AI and where the use of this new technology is growing fast. The top 10 countries leading in AI are the US, China, the UK, India, UAE, France, South Korea, Germany, Japan and Singapore.

Leadership coach Sara Sabin said consistent use of AI weakens the brain’s cognitive processes required for critical thinking and must be balanced with active brain training.

“You need to actively strengthen skills such as trend prediction, intuition, creativity, uniqueness, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence,” she said.

“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,” she said.

Lisa Lyons, Transformation Centre of Excellence lead for India Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region at Mercer, said that as technology is integrated into how people work, it will be important to possess skills critical to its usage and innovation.

“For example, skills like advanced data analysis, critical thinking and creative problem-solving will become inherently valuable. By focusing on cultivating their critical core skills, individuals can harness the power of AI to elevate their performance and drive meaningful impact,” she added.

“For employers, investing in the development of critical AI skills can enhance long-term productivity and differentiate the organisational employee value proposition when bidding for talent,” added Lisa.

Supplement not replacement

Jason Grundy, managing director of Robert Walters Middle East & Africa, said AI tools should serve as a supplement to employees’ existing knowledge, not as a replacement for their entire responsibilities,” he said.

“Skills are like any muscle; if they aren’t regularly exercised, they will become weaker. In the long term, relying too heavily on AI could erode both professionals’ ability to think critically as well as gain and develop essential skills. With any evolving technology, mindful use will help ensure that employees' abilities remain at the forefront and are not overshadowed,” he said.

He added that soft skills such as stakeholder management, communication, teamwork, and creative thinking will continue to be prioritised by employers, particularly those looking to identify their next cohort of leaders.

“When advising clients, we encourage them to think long-term. Deep cuts in entry-level and graduate roles now could create talent shortages in the future for positions that require human input,” he said.

As Featured in The Khaleej Times