Are People Losing the Ability to do Things for Themselves Since AI Can do it for Them Faster?

Written by Hoorain Syed

Edited by Moka Higashino

Artificial Intelligence has become a growing invention in our world. From being used in schools to being used for personal tasks, AI has slowly grown to become an essential part of our day to day lives. People have started relying on AI platforms (such as ChatGPT, Gemini etc) too much, making them dependent on online tools, weakening their strengths and ability to think for themselves. Tasks that once took people hours to complete are now finished within minutes. However, this convenience raises an important question; are people losing the ability to do things for themselves since AI can do it for them? 

It is scientifically proven that relying on AI for everything causes a decline in human skill. With too much reliance on AI, people lose the ability to reflect and question things, as AI already provides perfect answers (Lee et al.). It is crucial to maintain a creative and balanced mindset when using AI. This helps us learn from AI without losing the ability to work for ourselves. If students constantly ask AI to write their assignments, they may receive better grades in the short term, but they will lose the opportunity to develop important skills that they will need later in life. This makes humans extremely dependent on their devices, the internet and online tools. Additionally, skipping to answer without acknowledging the method diminishes the learning process; for example, when faced with a difficult problem or task, it may be easier to just ask AI for answers, but the struggle we overlook is the process that actually helps us learn and understand the question itself (Kapur). 

On the other hand, it would be wrong to say that AI only has negative effects. It is extremely useful for when students are under stress and need something to be done fast. However, there is a difference between using a prompt to learn a new concept and using one to finish the assignment. If people can continuously challenge themselves, solve problems, create, write, and make mistakes despite the ease of AI, it would become a powerful tool rather than a substitute for human ability (Noy and Zhang). Knowing how to use AI is one of the most valuable skills in the AI-powered world, and an ethical use of AI can benefit us in many ways. Following these boundaries will make AI a very powerful tool rather than a replacement for human thinking. 

AI can be used ethically without creating overdependence; people can still use it, but within limits. It is important to set boundaries when using AI, so it doesn't harm us in any way. Firstly it is crucial to note down your own thoughts and ideas and use AI later on in order to make your work more advanced and cohesive. Secondly, it is crucial to keep AI as an assistance, and not as an alternative for independent thinking. Although it can be useful in many senses, it is important to set boundaries for ourselves when using it. Furthermore, it is important to give yourself time and space, in order to overcome complex tasks and build lasting resilience and confidence. AI doesn't always make humans less capable. It gives them a choice between being more capable or becoming more dependent, which is up to each individual. The problem is not AI itself, but the way in which we use it.