AI and the Crisis of Human Thinking: A Mirror to Our Cognitive Decline

 

AI and the Crisis of Human Thinking: A Mirror to Our Cognitive Decline

By Linda Dabo 

Artificial intelligence (AI), once the stuff of science fiction, now occupies a powerful role in our daily lives. It performs tasks we once thought only humans could do: learning, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. As I read more about what AI is capable of—particularly in the realm of cognition—I can’t help but notice a sobering contrast: the very qualities AI is designed to mimic seem increasingly absent in the behavior of many people, especially in the United States.

AI refers to the ability of machines to replicate human cognitive functions using complex algorithms, data analysis, and pattern recognition. It operates without emotional interference, without fatigue, and without the need for approval or belonging. It focuses on logic, consistency, and outcomes. Yet many humans today seem to operate in the opposite direction—driven more by emotional impulse than thoughtful inquiry, more by reaction than reflection.

The Emotional Mind in Overdrive

One of the greatest barriers to clear thinking is unchecked emotion. Anger, fear, tribal loyalty, and anxiety dominate public discourse. Emotion, of course, is not inherently negative—it can fuel compassion, creativity, and moral clarity. But when emotions run unchecked, they can override the ability to analyze, question, and reason.

Unlike AI, which evaluates data dispassionately, humans often resist thinking deeply when the process becomes emotionally uncomfortable. Instead of questioning narratives or seeking understanding, many people respond with defensiveness, blame, or withdrawal. The result is a kind of mental paralysis, where the tools of human cognition—analysis, synthesis, critical thought—go unused.

A Decline in Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

It’s becoming increasingly clear that a large segment of the population is struggling with problem-solving—not because problems are unsolvable, but because there’s little habit of sorting through information to find solutions. The basic processes of examining facts, weighing evidence, and drawing logical conclusions are no longer commonplace skills.

Several cultural and systemic factors contribute to this:

An overstimulated media landscape that encourages snap judgments rather than reflective thought.

Underfunded education systems that don’t emphasize critical thinking or reasoning as core life skills.

Social media algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy, fueling emotional responses rather than informed discussion.

We are, in effect, outsourcing not only our labor but our thinking—to technology, to group opinion, to emotional reflex.

AI as a Mirror and a Partner

Here lies the paradox: the machines we’ve built to think are now outpacing us in some aspects of thought. But instead of being a threat, this could be a wake-up call.

AI holds a mirror to our cognitive habits. It highlights where we’ve fallen short: in our unwillingness to pause, question, and reason. But it also offers tools to reclaim those capacities. Used wisely, AI can support us in:

Learning how to ask better questions.

Recognizing our own biases.

Slowing down impulsive reactions.

Engaging in more thoughtful dialogue.

Deepening our understanding of complex issues.

Reclaiming the Human Mind

We are living in a time when humanity must reassert its ability to think clearly—not just for technological advancement, but for moral and civic survival. AI doesn’t feel pride, fear, or tribal loyalty—but humans do. And these feelings, when balanced and channeled properly, can complement AI’s precision with uniquely human insight and wisdom.

The goal isn’t to surrender our minds to machines, but to partner with them—using AI not as a crutch, but as a guide, a challenger, a co-learner. We have an opportunity to reawaken what is most powerful in the human intellect: curiosity, discernment, and the ability to learn from both data and experience.

In a world where AI can think clearly, will we rise to the challenge of doing the same?