The improper use of the artificial intelligence may lead to a reduction in activity Brain and the loss of skills like critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, he warned Pilar Duran HernandezAcademic at the Faculty of Natural Sciences National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
The signing took place during a conference at the Ninth Neuroscience Festival. Neurofest 2025held at Universe, Science Museum. The specialist warned of the real risk of brain atrophy and the possibility of intelligence loss if cognitive tasks are excessively delegated to technology.
Durán Hernández explained that atrophy due to disuse turns the brain into a hypoactive organ, with a mind that avoids intellectual exertion.
In his opinion, this phenomenon can lead to a “delegated mind too lazy to think“, which poses a noticeable danger to intellectual development.
The scientist emphasized that the AI It should be viewed as a tool rather than an authorship, and its responsible use can multiply productivity, but its misuse has negative consequences for cognitive health.
During her lecture, the specialist explained in detail how the use of platforms such as: ChatGPT It reduces cognitive processing and thinking abilities, making decision-making and critical ideation difficult.
In contrast, those who use search engines such as Google They have higher levels of brain processing because they do not rely solely on technology to solve problems. Given this scenario, Durán Hernández recommended participants not to let AI take over academic tasks, warning: “Ultimately, it is the one who learns, not us.”
The loss of neuronal connections, the scientist warned, could lead to the death of neurons and long-term changes in the nervous system.
Among the fundamental capabilities impaired by the misuse of AI, he listed the decline in conceptual depth in the processes of Learn and loss of interest in understanding complex concepts, such as generating the perfect square trinomial.
One of the key points of the conference was the importance of handwriting in neurobiological development and deep learning. Durán Hernández pointed out that manual writing acts as a catalyst for the formation of brain connections, while digital writing, although efficient for communication and productivity, does not offer the same benefits.
The specialist cited evidence suggesting that replacing pencil and paper with the keyboard brings about a profound change in learning processes and learning connectomethe network of brain connections. This change worries the scientific community due to the risk of brain atrophy associated with the inappropriate use of new technologies.
In her historical review, the scientist recalled the first Hominids They already had intelligent brains capable of developing tools and surviving in adverse environments, leading to the emergence of connectomes. Effective learning, he explained, occurs when different areas of the brain interact with each other to generate information.
The intelligenceAccording to Durán Hernández, it consists of the ability to solve problems, process information and carry out specific activities based on learning. The rise of higher cognitive processes such as language and the transfer of knowledge was consolidated with the homo sapiens modern and has become stronger over the course of human evolution.
The arrival of the digital age In the 1980s, it changed communication and daily life with the introduction of the Internet.
The generations millennial And Zdescribed by the specialist as digital nomads, have grown up surrounded by virtual assistants and intelligent devices, to the point that they can no longer imagine a world without such tools Alexa, Siri either Gemini. Durán Hernández emphasized the need to develop mathematical language in childhood, as this process creates brain connections that favor abstract and critical thinking.
About The Author
