Are AI chatbots making us lose control of our brains?
The Dark Side of AI: Are Chatbots Making Us Lose Control of Our Brains?
As I sat down with Gloria Mark, a psychologist at the University of California, Irvine, at SXSW London, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Mark has spent the last 30 years studying how people interact with digital technologies, and her findings are nothing short of alarming. In our conversation, she shared her concerns about the impact of AI chatbots on our brains, and the implications are far-reaching.
The Shrinkage of Attention Spans
Mark's research began in the early 2000s, when she started wondering about how our use of devices might affect our attention spans. She set up what she calls "living laboratories," using sensors and trackers to monitor adult volunteers' attention, mood, and behavior when they were using devices. In 2003, she found that the average user had an attention span of around two and a half minutes. That's how long people could spend focused on one thing before moving on to something else.
But when she repeated the experiment in 2012, she found that attention spans had shrunk – all the way down to around 75 seconds on average. In research she conducted between 2014 and 2020, attention spans shrank further still – to a mere 47 seconds, on average. The implications are staggering: we're no longer able to focus on one thing for more than a minute before our minds start to wander.
The Stress of Constant Distraction
Mark's research also revealed that switching our attention so frequently is stressful. "We would have people wear heart rate monitors, and … we would see direct correlation between switching attention fast and stress going up," she told me. The constant distraction is taking a toll on our mental health, making it harder for us to relax and focus.
The Impact on Children
But social media isn't all bad, all the time. It can provide opportunities for some people, including those from marginalized groups, to form connections that might otherwise be difficult. A 2024 survey of LGBTQ+ teenagers found that while some described social media as a place of rejection and fear, others described it as a place where they felt a sense of belonging, where they could develop friendships and cultivate their identity.
However, the impact of social media on children is still a topic of debate. Mark notes that there have been lots and lots of studies, and the evidence is to date inconclusive. "There have been lots and lots of studies, and the evidence is to date inconclusive," she told me. (Despite what you might read in best-selling books on the subject.)
The Risks of AI-Powered "Synthetic Companions"
Mark is also worried about the impact of AI-powered "synthetic companions" on our emotional intelligence. Relationships between human beings take work – time, effort, and understanding. None of that is needed if you're forming a relationship with a sycophantic bot. The "muscle" we risk atrophying here is emotional intelligence, which surveys suggest is already on the decline, said Mark.
The Future of Our Brains
If we continue on this trajectory, attention spans are diminished, loneliness is rising, boredom is rising, emotional intelligence decreasing, and actually our sense of purpose, according to studies, is also decreasing," she said. Luckily, she thinks we can course-correct by changing our relationship with these technologies. The key factor is effort.
The more effort we put into something, the deeper the satisfaction we stand to gain, Mark told me. That means making an effort to read a book rather than skimming its summary, and to meet with friends in person when you can. Try not to use GPS in places where you can probably manage without it.
"I love technology; we can't give it up," she told me. "[But] we have to learn how to create new life routines." By being more mindful of our use of technology and making a conscious effort to engage with the world around us, we can mitigate the negative effects of AI chatbots and preserve our cognitive abilities.
Conclusion
The impact of AI chatbots on our brains is a complex and multifaceted issue. While they offer many benefits, such as convenience and efficiency, they also pose significant risks, including the shrinkage of attention spans, the stress of constant distraction, and the erosion of emotional intelligence. By being more aware of these risks and taking steps to mitigate them, we can ensure that our brains remain healthy and resilient in the face of technological advancements.
