Critical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Offloading

In recent years, the rise of artificial intelligence technologies has revolutionized the way people interpret information and construct knowledge. Despite the rapid increase in students’ use of GenAI, many students fear that its use will undermine learning, and many educators express concerns about the consequences of GenAI use on teaching, learning, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. Recent research has revealed that over-reliance on GenAI is associated with both cognitive offloading and diminished critical thinking skills and traits, including intellectual autonomy and independent problem-solving skills. Addressing the challenges and risks of GenAI use within educational contexts will require educators to modify their approaches to teaching digital literacy, sharpen students’ awareness of the cognitive implications of GenAI use, and encourage students to make context- and purpose-driven decisions about when and how to use AI technologies. While acknowledging both the benefits and ubiquitous presence of GenAI within educational contexts, this paper explores the risks GenAI poses to critical thinking skill development and proposes strategies to respond effectively to GenAI technologies in classrooms and across varied domains of human life.