Artificial Intelligence has become a useful tool these days. It helps us think faster, clearly in moments of confusion, and often provides a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic digital world. For many people, AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, etc. are no longer optional assistants but daily companions.There was a time when being stuck meant being slow. The answer can only be found by flipping through books, libraries, interviews/conversations and research. This process could often be frustrating, but it forced engagement. One had to do research, connect ideas, challenge assumptions and reach conclusions independently. Critical thinking was not an optional skill that could be outsourced.Today, a prompt can generate an immediate answer. Tasks that previously took hours now take minutes. Quantitative productivity has undeniably improved. But speed comes with trade-offs. When answers are readily available, the need to struggle with questions is reduced. However, it is often in that struggle that critical thinking sharpens.
So, let’s delve deeper into how AI is shaping critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
AI in classrooms
When we refer to artificial intelligence, we should start from the time when critical thinking is in the process of development – school age. This is when children not only learn facts, but also learn to question, analyze, debate, and come to conclusions.For people in the pre-AI era, school meant textbooks, handwritten notes, phone calls to classmates for homework, and in relatively recent times, browsing the Internet. The process was frustrating at times, but it required effort and thinking.Today, school age looks very different. A single prompt on ChatGPT, Meta AI or similar platforms can generate structured answers within seconds. Essays, summaries, explanations of complex concepts – all available almost instantly. The efficiency is undeniable. But the main concern still remains: If AI is thinking, are children still learning to think?When used responsibly, AI can act less like a shortcut and more like a tutor. It can explain difficult problems, simplify deep topics, generate practice questions, or provide feedback on writing structure. For students who hesitate to ask questions in class, AI can provide a non-judgmental space to clear doubts. In this sense, it can democratize access to academic support.However there is a risk of passive consumption. When students copy answers without thinking, they may complete assignments without understanding the underlying concepts.This was told by Tulika, a high school teacher in Georgia, America. “When students turn to AI tools when they are stuck rather than doing research independently, I see it as a neutral tool whose impact depends entirely on the student’s intent and the teacher’s guidance. In my experience, AI has not eliminated critical thinking; rather, it has exposed a divide between students who want to learn deeply and those who are satisfied with average results,” she said.She further explained how she also sees positives in the use of AI, as long as one remembers to limit it to the status of assistant.
Being an Indian-origin teacher in the US, Tulika gave another perspective, that being from a different culture, she found AI helpful in understanding her students and the overall environment. However, he emphasized, “AI tools like MagicSchool, Nearpod, ChatGPT (including teacher-centered GPT), Perplexity, and others support planning and idea generation, but they do not replace pedagogical understanding. AI-generated lessons only work if the teacher understands the standards, the students, and how to deliver clear, actionable instructions. When used responsibly, AI has broadened my learning horizons, strengthened lesson design, and helped direct me toward clear learning goals.Coming to the other side from a teacher’s perspective, 13-year-old Mishika Gupta shared the negatives of AI, and doesn’t fully trust its accuracy. Sharing her personal experience, she said, “Unlike most of my classmates, I do not use AI to do or help with my homework because I feel that I cannot trust it yet. I have noticed on several occasions that it does not give the right answer. For example, I could not understand my Spanish homework and asked for help and found that the translation was wrong.“He also looked at how it impacts his peers, “I think AI is misused by a lot of people my age. They use it to do their homework every day. Most of my classmates are so addicted to ChatGPT that they don’t even try to solve the questions and just copy whatever comes without reading it. I feel like it has stifled the creativity of kids my age. Some of them literally chat with it like it’s their best friend. They share their feelings with it and seek solutions to their life problems.“Her mother, Dr. Shuichi, also supported her daughter’s mindset and hoped she would maintain that belief. Highlighting the difference between her school days and today, she said, “AI tools have become an integral part of youth’s lives today. I see them using it not only as a tool to help with homework, but also as a friend, a counselor and a confidant.”“The joy of researching a topic by sifting through many library books, magazines or research articles is something that I think the current generation will never be able to experience. This process also allowed us to broaden our worldview, understand a topic from different perspectives, and gain insight into the minds of subject experts. The hard work put into the task ensured that we completed our task with a sense of pride and immense satisfaction,” she said.When asked for advice about the use of AI for her daughter, she emphasized being aware of the limitations.
Meanwhile, another parent, Om Prakash Bhatia had his own doubts on AI, believing it was killing children’s creativity.
Thus, the AI and homework debate is not black and white. AI can increase access to explanations, support struggling learners, and help teachers refine instruction. Also, uncontrolled dependencies can dilute effort, weaken conceptual clarity, and lead to false conclusions in cases of lack of verification.Ultimately, the question is not whether AI will invade classrooms; it is already. The real challenge is to teach children not only how to use AI, but to what extent.
AI in content writing: efficient or superficial?
One of the areas where AI is widely used is content writing. In newsrooms, PR offices, publishing, the question remains: How does a human compete with a machine that can produce content in seconds?AI undoubtedly speeds up production. It can draft blogs, summarize reports, suggest titles, and even copy voice. But writing is not just about grammatically correct sentences. It’s about lived experience, subtext, cultural nuances and emotional connection. While AI can simulate empathy and structure narrative arcs, it does not feel urgency, sadness, irony, or joy; This is fake.This becomes bigger as AI moves beyond short-form content to long-form storytelling. From self-help manuals to full-length novels, books are being produced partially or completely with AI. The big question, then, is not whether AI can write a book, but whether readers will value efficiency over originality and imitation over human voice.Anuranjita Pathak, founder of publishing house Nuttals Publications, has expressed concern in this regard. “Been in this industry for over 6 years, have seen many good writers and editors too. The delivery time of content/novels has reduced significantly. I know someone who wrote a book in 4 years – the depth of those 4 years, cannot be written with AI. So there has definitely been a decline in original ideas and critical depth.”Further clarifying his stance, he said, “Nowadays people are brainstorming with AI – “Give me 5 plot twists”, “Write the table of contents for the HRMS book”.Sharing his frustrations at dealing with AI writing, he pointed out how much depth and complexity there is in non-AI writing.
Can we trust AI?
In a reality where the AI still calls Donald Trump “former President” and creates its own quotes when asked to do research, accuracy is a concern.There are many examples when AI creates its own information or distorts facts. One such example that made headlines was from Deloitte when a report was found to be created with AI.last year, Deloitte faced controversy Scrutiny over the use of generative AI in document preparation has intensified after an Australian government report discovered errors including fabricated references and incorrect court citations. Following the revelations, Deloitte agreed to provide a partial refund to the Australian federal government and released a revised version of the report correcting the inaccuracies.Thus, it becomes important to reiterate that AI has the potential to overpower our logical minds, lulling one into false security until it is caught or becomes too robotic to connect with people.
AI side of the story
Since we’re talking about AI, it’s also important to listen to what the bots have to say.So let’s see what ChatGPIT, Perplexity, Grok and Meta AI believe in the answer to the question “Is AI making us stupid, eliminating our critical thinking?”
- ChatGPT: Commonly Used Bots also emphasized the important aspect discussed by people, that it is not about the AI, but how it is used, that determines whether it is making an impact or not.
human thinking . “It is a tool – it can be a brain enhancer or a crutch,” it said.
- Grok: Grok remained firm in saying that “AI is not inherently “making us stupid” or “killing” critical thinking in some irreversible, universal way”. However, it also drew attention to the way it is used which determines the main problem. It also cited some studies (unverified, only for the context of this article) to clarify its stand.
- Jhalaan: Jhalaan also gave a balanced view. Like the others, it also had advantages and disadvantages listed. Citing various sources (not verified, for reference only for this article), it states, “AI could weaken critical thinking if we outsource too much of our thinking, but when used intentionally it could also strengthen critical thinking rather than fooling us.”
- Meta AI: Rather than giving a definitive answer, this gave different perspectives from people, pointing out both sides of the debate, while also highlighting the intent and method of use that really decides whether AI is fooling us or not. “If we let it do all the heavy work without involving our brains, there may be risks. But if we use it as a tool to enhance our abilities, challenge our assumptions, and explore new ideas, it can actually make us faster!” It said.
ally or hindrance; the choice is ours
Looking at the insights of humans and bots makes it clear that the impact of AI on human thinking is not just about the use of AI. It really depends on how we choose to use it. It is a neutral tool in itself.When blindly trusted, it risks stifling creativity, problem-solving, and independent thought.On the other hand, when used responsibly, AI can enhance human intelligence. It can help organize ideas, provide new perspectives, simplify complex concepts, and inspire creative solutions we might not have considered on our own.
The key is balance, using AI as an assistant rather than a substitute, as a partner rather than a replacement for original ideas.The truth is, we are not made smarter or dumber by artificial intelligence, but by our choices about how to interact with it. We are given a chance to think, wonder, and decide: will we let it think for us, or let it help us become even smarter? The answers will shape the future of learning and creativity in an AI-powered world.
