Brain Scan of GPT Chat Users, Discovered Something Unexpected

(Dan Tri) - A recent study shows that using ChatGPT too often can make the brain work less effectively, especially in tasks that require complex thinking such as writing essays or analysis.

High frequency of ChatGPT use may be associated with lower levels of brain activity in users (Illustration: ST).

Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna, research leader at the Media Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), wanted to understand the impact of using AI in learning, as more and more students use this tool.

The team created an experiment in which participants wrote a 20-minute essay on an SAT-style task, on topics like the ethics of charity or the consequences of too many choices.

54 people (aged 18 - 39) were divided into three groups: One group had the support of ChatGPT, one group used the Google search engine, and the remaining group did not use any tools.

Researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) equipment to record brain activity in 32 different regions of study participants while they wrote essays.

Results showed that, compared with the other two groups, the group using ChatGPT had the lowest level of brain activity and consistently performed poorly in neurological, language, and behavioral aspects.

Over the long term of the study, the effort level of the ChatGPT user group decreased with each essay, they often only performed copy and paste operations.

The essays produced are incredibly similar, lacking independent ideas and repeating similar expressions and arguments.

By the third essay, many people simply put the assignment into ChatGPT and let the tool do most of the work.

In contrast, the group that used only brain thinking showed the highest levels of neural connectivity, especially in the alpha, theta, and delta wave bands — associated with creativity, memory, and word processing.

This group was rated as more engaged, demonstrated greater ownership of their writing, and was more satisfied with their results.

The final group, which used Google searches, also showed increased satisfaction with the essay and positive brain activity.

This is a notable difference in the context that more and more people tend to search for information through AI chatbots instead of traditional search engines like Google.

After the three groups completed their essays, the researchers asked them to rewrite one of their previous essays.

This time, the group that used ChatGPT had to do it again without the help of this tool, while the “brain” group was allowed to use ChatGPT.

Results showed that the first group could barely remember the content of their own essays and had weaker alpha and theta brain waves, reflecting poor deep memory.

In contrast, the second group showed positive results, significantly increasing brain connectivity across all EEG frequency bands.

As of July, ChatGPT handles more than 2.5 billion queries per day, reflecting its growing popularity and the changing way people interact with technology.

If used correctly, AI chatbots can enhance learning rather than undermine it.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/quet-nao-nguoi-dung-chat-gpt-phat-hien-dieu-khong-ai-ngo-toi-20250804124522554.htm