AI and Human Intelligence: A Case for Enhancement

I don’t believe that AI is making humans stupid. While this topic has sparked considerable debate in recent conversations I’ve had, I find myself disagreeing with the pessimism about artificial intelligence’s impact on human cognition.

The Argument “AI makes us lazy” Has Merit, But Misses the Bigger Picture

I can understand the argument that AI might make humans intellectually lazy by handling cognitive heavy lifting like writing code, drafting articles, or solving complex problems. There’s truth to the “use it or lose it” principle: skills deteriorate without practice. We’ve all experienced this after returning from vacation, finding ourselves slower to execute familiar work tasks and indeed mental artihmetic becomes harder if we use the calculator all the time. Critics also point to how social media and AI algorithms can create information silos, trapping us within our existing knowledge and beliefs rather than challenging us to grow. These concerns deserve acknowledgment, but they tell only part of the story.

The Democratization of Knowledge

Consider navigation as a historical parallel. In centuries past, skilled seamanship was a rare, specialized talent. Today, GPS technology hasn’t made us stupid but it has democratized the ability to navigate, freeing us to focus on higher-level thinking rather than learning the basic skill. The same principle applies to information access. Previously, if you weren’t a trained historian, you had little means to verify historical claims or conduct meaningful research. Now, web search, Wikipedia, and AI have made information dramatically more accessible. You can fact-check a statement, explore multiple perspectives, and dive deep into subjects that once required years of specialized training to understand.

Critical Thinking: An Enduring Necessity

The need to validate information isn’t new, it’s simply evolved. Even in my childhood, before the internet existed, my parents and teachers emphasized the importance of critical thinking. They taught me to question what I heard on television and to compare how different newspapers covered the same story. This skepticism and verification process was essential then and remains essential now. We needed to apply the same scepticism when searching the internet for information, since not every source can be trusted. What’s changed isn’t the need for discernment, but the tools available to exercise it.

Technology as an Intelligence Amplifier

Modern technology, including AI, has the potential to make humans smarter by providing unprecedented access to information and analytical tools. The key phrase here is “if they choose to do so.” Like any powerful tool, AI can be used passively—allowing it to think for us—or actively, as an enhancement to our own cognitive abilities. When used thoughtfully, AI can help us process more information, explore ideas more thoroughly, and make more informed decisions than ever before. The democratization of information access means that intelligence and knowledge are no longer limited by geography, economic status, or institutional affiliation. This represents a profound shift toward a more intellectually empowered society.

Conclusion

Rather than making us stupid, AI and modern technology give us a chance to become smarter. The real question isn’t whether these tools will hurt our intelligence, but whether we’ll use them as a crutch or as a way to boost our own abilities. That choice is up to us.