#Cognitivedebt

A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has ignited debate over the cognitive impact of AI writing tools like ChatGPT, revealing that their use significantly reduces brain activity and leads to less creative, more “soulless” work. The findings, published in June 2025, raise questions over the future role of artificial intelligence in education, as policymakers and educators across the world—including in Thailand—navigate the integration of new technologies in the classroom.

A new MIT study raises critical questions about how AI writing tools like ChatGPT affect student thinking and creativity. Published in June 2025, the research suggests that using AI writing aids can blunt brain activity and produce more formulaic essays. The findings spark a global conversation, including in Thailand, about how to balance digital tools with foundational skills in classrooms.

The study followed 54 college students who wrote SAT-style essays on philosophical topics, such as the desirability of a perfect society and the moral obligations of the fortunate to help others. Participants were assigned to three conditions: using ChatGPT, using Google Search, or writing without digital help. Researchers tracked brain activity with EEG across 32 brain regions during the writing tasks.