impact of AI on work and cognitive skills

The impact of AI on work and cognitive skills is multifaceted, characterized by both productivity gains and concerns regarding skill development. While AI can boost short-term productivity and offer career advantages to those who use it as a learning tool [5, 6, 11], there is growing evidence that heavy reliance on AI may lead to skill atrophy and compromised judgment [3, 12]. Specifically, novice workers who depend on AI for unfamiliar tasks may hinder their own long-term skill acquisition, as assisted groups sometimes lag in developing a deeper understanding of their work despite immediate performance improvements [8, 9]. Beyond individual skills, AI is reshaping the nature of work itself by lowering friction, which can cause work to expand [2]. While AI may not replace roles centered on care and culture, it challenges traditional identities rooted in economic output [4]. Consequently, the long-term effects on cognitive abilities and the ability to supervise AI systems remain subjects of ongoing research and debate [1, 8].