In an age where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at an exponential rate, one can’t help but wonder if there’s an equally dramatic rise in Natural Stupidity. As a communications and behavioral sciences expert, I am naturally concerned about the lasting impact of information overload on our basic human instincts like creativity and storytelling. While the technocrats may be concerned with the complications like AI Hallucinations and AI Self Awareness, I am a simple man fascinated by my own stupidity much like another simple man from the yesteryears who once said “Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I am not yet completely sure about the universe”.
As generative AI churns out content at lightning speed, it seems humanity is outsourcing its creativity and ingenuity to silicon-based minds. Could it be that our reliance on these digital brains is steering us away from the very essence of what makes us human? Our brains are wired for creativity. Neuroscientific studies highlight the prefrontal cortex’s role in innovative thinking, problem-solving, and artistic expression. Yet, here we are, allowing algorithms to write our essays, compose our music, and even paint our masterpieces.
The Rise of ‘Natural Stupidity’
I am fascinated by the originality of the human behavior especially in the era of instant gratification and reducing attention spans. Yet I fear that in our quest for efficiency and convenience, we may end up trading our natural brilliance for a life of complete digital dependency. It haunts me to imagine a future where the great novels of our time are penned by AI, where the next Beethoven is a server farm in Silicon Valley, and where Picasso is reduced to a collection of ones and zeros. We cannot discount the possibility of the increased reliance on AI resulting in a decline in critical thinking skills and a reduction in the cognitive capacity required for creative problem-solving. Over-reliance on AI tools have the innate ability to dampen our ability to think independently and creatively, leading to a rather harshly yet whimsically coined term “Natural Stupidity.”
The Growing Dependence
As I marvel at AI’s ability to generate content, I can’t help but wonder: Are we nurturing a generation of thinkers and creators, or are we fostering a society of passive consumers? When was the last time you solved a problem without consulting your smartphone, or created something without an app’s assistance? The essence of human ingenuity lies not just in its output but in the messy, wonderful process of creation.
A study by Frontiers in Psychology highlights how the prefrontal cortex is integral to creative thinking, showing that damage to this area can significantly impair creativity. The question is, can this damage be incurred by subliminally outsourcing its very function. The beauty of human intelligence lies not just in its output but in the unpredictable, inspired process of creation, something no machine can replicate, hopefully.
This growing dependence on technology for critical thinking tasks could limit our potential for advancement. While we work towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), human intellect remains crucial. If we lean too heavily on Large Language Models (LLMs) for our cognitive processes—from writing to arguing—we risk diminishing our own mental faculties as we opt for convenience over effort.
Imagine a world where AI has surpassed human intelligence in every aspect. In this highly possible scenario, what happens to our education systems? Do we still teach children to solve problems, or do we train them to operate AI systems that do it for them; Prompt engineering as it’s called. Could our brains atrophy from lack of use, or would we find new ways to innovate alongside our digital counterparts and digital alter egos?
When I sit with my 5 years old daughter Leyla to help her with critical thinking and problem solving skills, I find myself conflicted between using cutting edge AI tools in aiding her cognitive development or going completely old school. What’s fascinating is that I didn’t have to make these choices with my first born Arika, who is merely 9. The shift from VHS to Blockbuster to Netflix took sometime in the making but the sheer pace of development under the umbrella of A is surreal to me. Existential questions abound: Are we steering towards a future where human thought is obsolete? Is our natural ingenuity becoming an endangered species? Or, perhaps, will we find a way to coexist with our digital counterparts, celebrating both the brilliance of AI and the irreplaceable magic of human creativity?
Although the jury is still out on the long term effects of these phenomenal times on our combined cognition as a species, I penned this piece down only because I do not wish to get engulfed in so much LLM engagement that I forget how I really feel today. Let’s not forget to nurture our own creativity. Let’s remind ourselves once again that “the beauty of human intelligence lies not just in its output, but in the messy, wonderful process of creation”. After all, wouldn’t it be ironic if, in our quest to build smarter machines, we ended up making ourselves dumber?
Only time will tell. Until then, let’s keep our brains engaged and our creativity alive, lest we become the punchline in the joke of our own making.