The hidden cost of AI convenience: Our ability to think
Briefly

The reliance on technology, specifically tools like GPS, is leading to a deterioration of human intelligence. A 2020 study indicated that frequent GPS users exhibit shrinking brain regions tied to memory and spatial orientation, resulting in diminished navigation abilities. Previously, navigating unfamiliar places required mental engagement through map reading and memorization, enhancing cognitive function. Now, the ease of using GPS has lessened the necessity for problem-solving, compromising our cognitive skills and the very essence of what humanity entails in an era filled with technological advancement.
The very tools designed to make our lives smarter are quietly eroding our own intelligence. This is not simply about technology but a fundamental question about our humanity.
Regular use of GPS is associated with a decline in spatial navigation abilities, indicated by a 2020 study which found a correlation between GPS usage and the shrinking of the region of the brain responsible for memory and spatial orientation.
Before GPS, reaching unfamiliar destinations required studying maps, memorizing landmarks, and asking for directions, which engaged our brains in problem-solving.
Our reliance on GPS has transformed it from a navigation assistant into a crutch, reducing our brain's active engagement and causing a decline in our navigational skills.
Read at Medium
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