Introduction
When was the last time you made a decision without consulting AI?
Drafted an email. Ran a brainstorm. Researched a new market. Wrote a product description.
Checked grammar. Rewrote awkward sentences. Polished a LinkedIn post. Generated a subject line. Structured a proposal. Fixed a messy slide deck. Summarised meeting notes. Created buyer personas. Turned notes into blog posts. Rephrased cold emails. Sparked tagline ideas. Pulled insights from a spreadsheet. Translated content. Suggested SEO keywords. Named a new feature. Wrote a tweet. Improved a caption. Drafted your “quick reply.”
Chances are, AI was in the room with you. Quiet, fast, helpful... and always watching.
What started as a tool to speed up work has quietly become something else. Something we rely on. Sometimes even default to.
Sure, we still use AI to order dinner or ask it to plan a trip. But at work? It’s not just assisting—it’s shaping how we think, create, and decide.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Big Tech isn’t just using AI to help you. They’re using it to hook you. Every notification, every suggestion, every “helpful” prompt is designed to pull you back in, keep your attention, and nudge your behavior—sometimes without you even realizing it.
And the scariest part? It’s working. Harder than ever before. We’re becoming so dependent on AI-driven tools that stepping away feels almost impossible. Our work, our decisions, even our creativity are increasingly shaped by algorithms fine-tuned to keep us engaged.
But wait—is this really bad? AI is amazing, right? It writes for us, designs for us, even thinks for us. It saves us hours, unlocks new ideas, and sometimes feels like having a superpower.
So, what’s the catch? What’s happening inside our brains as we hand over more control to these intelligent assistants? Are we sharpening our skills, or dulling them? Are we becoming more creative, or just better at following AI’s lead?
Let’s dig in..
Can you really tell when AI made it?
If you’ve worked in design, writing, or coding before AI took over, you knew exactly what was human and what was machine-made.
You used to:
- Spend hours agonising over the perfect headline, tweaking every word.
- Sketch rough designs by hand before turning to software.
- Dive deep into research, flipping through articles and books, rather than just asking ChatGPT to summarise.
Now? AI pulls all that off in seconds, lightning fast.
At first, AI’s work was obvious:
- Generic stock-photo vibes that screamed “fake.”
- Writing that was stiff, formal, and felt like it was missing a heartbeat.
- Code that technically worked, but no dev would write it that way—not unless they wanted a headache.
But lately? AI is getting scarily good.
- Midjourney cranks out images that look like real photos taken by pros.
- ChatGPT writes smoother, more natural, and even funnier than many bloggers.
- AI-generated code is cleaner and more efficient than junior dev work on a good day.
So yeah—it’s worth using. Totally worth it!
What’s the problem then? Most people use AI wrong
There are two kinds of AI users:
- The "AI Crutchers" – They let AI do everything. No original thought. Just prompts. The "AI Sharpeners" – They use AI like a tool. Their ideas, AI’s execution.
Guess who’s getting ahead?
How addicted to AI are we really?
Let’s look at the data.
AI in the workplace
- 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work.
- 55% of companies have replaced some human tasks with AI.
- Biggest AI adopters? Tech (82%), Finance (72%), Marketing (68%).
It’s clear that AI isn’t just a tool anymore — it’s becoming a fundamental part of how work gets done across industries. This shift is reshaping roles, expectations, and even what it means to be “skilled” in many jobs.
Who’s using AI the most?
- Gen Z (18-24): 72% use AI weekly
- Millennials (25-40): 64%
- Gen X (41-56): 48%
- Boomers (57+): 29%
Younger generations are diving into AI like it’s second nature — growing up with it means AI is woven into both their professional and personal lives. For older generations, the adoption is slower but steadily rising, bridging the gap between traditional methods and new tech.
The addiction metrics
- Average person checks phone 58 times a day—mostly AI-driven apps.
- TikTok’s AI algorithm keeps users 90 minutes daily—2x longer than human-curated feeds.
AI’s power to grab and hold attention is staggering. Algorithms learn what hooks us and keep pulling us back, turning casual users into near-constant consumers. It’s a new kind of addiction, one that’s as invisible as it is effective.
Conclusion? We’re not just using AI. We’re dependent on it.
Is AI making us stupid?
Okay, let’s ask the real question: Is AI frying our brains?
The case for "Yes"
- Memory Decline
- Why remember anything when ChatGPT knows it?
- Studies show people forget info faster if they know they can Google it.
- Critical Thinking Erosion
- Students using AI score worse on reasoning tests.
- 40% of workers can’t solve basic problems without AI help.
- Creativity Drain
- AI-generated content is homogenising ideas.
- "Everyone’s writing sounds the same now." – says Eliza Mclamb on Substack.
All these points suggest AI might be weakening our mental muscles. Our memory grows lazy as we outsource facts to machines. Critical thinking declines when we depend too much on AI’s instant answers. Creativity risks turning into a bland remix as AI-generated content blurs originality. But here’s the kicker: as Terry Underwood wrote in a recent Substack article, students aren’t cheating because AI made it easier—they’re cheating because for generations, we’ve taught them that grades matter more than real knowledge. AI is just holding up a mirror, forcing us to face the cracks in how we learn and think—and challenging us to adapt before we lose more than we gain.
The case for "No"
- AI as a Brain Booster
- Doctors using AI diagnose 20% faster with fewer errors
- Lawyers review contracts 5x faster with AI assistance
- Scientists analyze research data in days instead of months
- Customer service resolves 40% more cases daily with AI chatbots
- Writers using AI produce 2x more content (but is that good?):
- Bloggers publish more frequently while maintaining quality
- Marketers generate hundreds of ad variations instantly
- Journalists fact-check in seconds instead of hours
- Students improve their writing skills through AI feedback
- Democratizing Expertise
- Small businesses now compete with giants thanks to AI tools
- A kid in Kenya can code an app without years of training
- Non-designers create professional logos in minutes
- Solo entrepreneurs run entire companies with AI assistants
- Non-native speakers write fluently in any language
So…which is it?
The truth? AI doesn’t make us stupid - but how we use it might.
The real difference comes down to whether we're using AI to enhance our capabilities or replace our thinking. Those who stay in the driver's seat, using AI as a tool rather than a crutch, are the ones coming out ahead. The choice - and the responsibility - remains ours.
How to use AI without losing your edge
If you don’t want to turn into an AI-zombie, follow these rules:
1. The 70/30 Rule
Why it works: AI should be your assistant, not your brain.
- 70% you: Do the research, form your own opinions, and draft ideas first.
- 30% AI: Use it to refine, edit, or generate alternatives—but never let it start the process.
Example: Writing a report? Outline it yourself, then use AI to polish the grammar or suggest additional sources.
2. The "Explain It to Me" Trick
Why it works: Forces you to engage, not just copy-paste.
- When AI gives an answer, ask: “Why is that the case?” or “How would you prove this?”
- If it can’t explain clearly, the answer is probably half-baked.
Example: Got a math solution from ChatGPT? Make it walk you through each step—like a tutor, not a cheat sheet.
3. Analog Hours
Why it works: Your brain needs unplugged time to stay sharp.
- 2 hours daily with no screens: Read physical books (your retention improves). Sketch on paper (activates creativity differently than digital tools).
- Science backup: Studies show handwriting notes boosts learning by 30% vs. typing.
4. The "Could I Do This Alone?" Test
Why it works: Keeps your core skills from rotting.
- Before using AI, ask: “Could I have done this myself 5 years ago?”
- If yes (e.g., writing an email, coding a basic function), do it manually sometimes to stay practiced.
Example: Designers using AI mockups should still sketch by hand weekly.
The Bottom Line
AI is designed to be as addictive as social media.
The real danger isn’t the tool; it’s how we’ve been trained to use it.
I liked what I recently read on Substack:
“Students aren’t cheating because AI made it easier—they’re cheating because for generations, we’ve taught them that the grade matters more than the knowledge.
-Terry Underwood
The same applies to all of us. The choice is simple:
- Be a passive consumer: Let AI dull your curiosity until you can’t think without it.
- Be a smart user: Treat AI like a gym for your brain—it should strengthen your skills, not replace them.
So, which will it be?
Interested to learn more about AI? Read out previous blogs!
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