In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence and digital technology into everyday life has sparked a growing concern about cognitive decline, often referred to as “brain rot.” It was Oxford University Press’s word of the year, shining a light on this pesky trend. It’s a touchstone moment for bringing awareness to the epidemic of mindlessness brought on by overexposure to the digital realm. Researchers and educators are increasingly examining how technology, particularly AI, influences cognitive functions and communication, raising alarms about a potential “dumbogenic society.”
Nataliya Kosmyna is a research scientist focused on wearable brain-computer interfaces. Yet she’s lost none of her focus on helping people with neurodegenerative diseases talk with nothing but their thoughts. As her proof of concept, she created a prototype device that resembles augmented reality glasses. This wearable piece of technology alerts users when they begin to experience cognitive overload or task fatigue. Kosmyna told them that she often feels mad at AI companies. They scramble to get products out the door without understanding what the psychological and cognitive effects are.
In the meantime, Kosmyna has quite the slate of projects in development. Clement, an author and educator, has been receiving a barrage of emails from individuals who say their cognitive capacities have moved because of their experience with large language models like ChatGPT. It’s a safe bet that most of us see these messages as signs of a mental decline if we become too dependent on AI tools.
Clement’s overarching goal is to make sure that just Googling an answer doesn’t mean you actually know it. This is where knowledge is key, not simply just understanding the facts, but knowing how to think critically and know when something looks fishy or it’s a flat out lie. His viewpoint is not unique, as researchers such as Wayne Holmes recently expressed their concern for the hasty adoption of educational technology. Holmes states, “Generally, we expect our medicines to be rigorously tested; we expect them to be prescribed to us by professionals. But suddenly when we’re talking about ed tech, which apparently is very beneficial for children’s developing brains, we don’t need to do that.”
The idea of “brain rot” perfectly embodies the Gen Z fight against pointless scrolling and toxic online content. In reference to today’s world, Daisy Christodoulou describes it as a “dumbogenic society.” It looks like an obesogenic environment, where unhealthy options are all around you and they become the norm. This dangerous trend begs an important question: What is the impact of persistent digital interaction on cognitive development and the ability to think critically and independently?
Gerlich’s research indicates that higher AI use is correlated with lower critical thinking test scores. Ericsson, this finding vividly illustrates the risks of relying excessively on technology for cognitive functions. While technology has made it easier to find answers, this causes the public to become passive consumers of information. We need to promote critical analysis in its place.
Kosmyna argues that we need to better understand how digital tools can shape users’ cognitive processes. And how are you going to engage with that, and how are you going to respond to that? Are you going to be like, ‘Err… can I check my phone?’” she says, evincing the difficulty of engaging in deep, meaningful thought in an NSDUH-whirlwind environment.
The advocacy of educators such as Joe Miles makes the conversation even more confusing. He is the co-author of the 2017 book “Screen Schooled” and advocates that an excess use of technology is damaging children’s intellectual development. He recalls, “You show it to the kids and they all laugh, right?” underscoring the disconnect between perceived entertainment and genuine learning.
The societal implications go far beyond personal experience. They get to the heart of how our collective cognitive short-cuts create perverse incentives in education and communication. As one student said very honestly, “If you catch me on my phone, then there is a 0% chance that I’m being productive. If you spot me on my laptop, there’s a 50–50 shot. This painful but freeing acceptance lays bare the tension we all have around our use of technology.
Experts warn that unchecked reliance on AI could lead to machines making decisions for people, ultimately resulting in a decline in critical thinking abilities. Stone adds, “You have a false sense of being on top of things without ever getting to the bottom of anything,” emphasizing how constant connectivity can create an illusion of productivity without meaningful engagement.