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‘Use it or lose it’ — a grim mantra for the AI age
The rise of AI tools is prompting concerns similar to those once raised about calculators; reliance on these technologies risks weakening our cognitive abilities, as evidence suggests that mental skills decline with disuse, echoing past educational debates over enabling technology.
Key points
- Texas Instruments launched the TI 2500, an early pocket calculator, influencing education and learning.
- Teachers banned calculators to promote mental calculation skills among students.
- Concerns about intellectual atrophy are resurfacing with the rise of AI, which may lead to a decline in critical thinking.
- Evidence shows that disuse of cognitive skills can lead to deterioration, comparable to muscle atrophy.
Why it matters
- The current trend in education is a debate over technology's role in learning similar to that of calculators and computers in the past.
- In 2025, with the increased integration of AI in schools, educators may still face challenges balancing technology's benefits with its cognitive impact.
- This discussion reflects ongoing concerns about dependency on technological tools, which began with calculators and is now amplified by AI.
The evolution of technology raises important questions about mental fitness; educators must find a balance to leverage AI without sacrificing cognitive development.