Study links AI use to lower critical thinking via cognitive offloading

Michael Gerlich of SBS Swiss Business School surveyed 666 UK respondents and interviewed 50. AI use correlated with cognitive offloading (r = 0.72) and negatively with critical thinking (r = -0.68), with offloading mediating about 60% of the effect.

• Survey of 666 UK respondents plus 50 interviews, 23 questions
• AI use vs offloading: r = 0.72; vs critical thinking: r = -0.68
• Offloading carries about 60% of the inverse link to critical thinking
• Ages 17–25 used AI most and scored lowest on critical thinking