Nataliya Kosmyna
Coverage of Nataliya Kosmyna in the Nexus archive.
- Sam Altman says cognitive atrophy is one of the most overlooked risks of the AI era
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns that over-reliance on AI could lead to cognitive atrophy, urging people to 'stretch' their mental abilities. Researchers like Nataliya Kosmyna and Vivienne Ming highlight risks such as weakened cognitive skills and 'chronic substitution,' while Altman envisions a future where personalized AI enhances productivity but emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human judgment.
- Is AI making us dumber?
The article discusses concerns that generative AI may weaken mental persistence, creativity, and critical thinking, drawing parallels to past debates about the 'Google effect.' Researcher Nataliya Kosmyna highlights AI's potential to degrade cognitive skills more than previous technologies like calculators, citing studies showing declining performance in AI-assisted essay writing. The piece contrasts fears of cognitive decline with historical examples where technological advancements (e.g., calculators, the internet) caused gradual but not catastrophic changes.