Science

(found in @keccers.eth replies)

MIT just published the first brain scan study of ChatGPT users… yikes. 

granted it is a 4 month study with a sample size 54 patients (small), but glad someone is studying this.

ChatGPT users had a ~55% reduction in brain connectivity. 

made them 60% faster at completing tasks, but reduced the "germane cognitive load" needed for actual learning by 32%.

also really interesting to see how “search engine” users compare to pure brain vs ChatGPT.

skip to discussion and conclusion here: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872v1

I feel like a deeper question with LLMs is whether people are using to replace intellectual activities (out of laziness) or using it to expand their ability? It's an army of assistants for me, allowing me to do more. Would love to see a study that also differentiates on type of usage, not just essay writing.

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I guess laziness is the wrong framing. Because replacing/automating something can be fine in itself. But, it's about seeing LLMs as making your current simpler (and stopping there), or using it to do more with time saved. Is it a shortcut through a familiar ave or the carving of a new route?