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QUESTION ONE – ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Essay 1
The Impact of Excessive Reliance on Generative AI on Critical Thinking
Generative AI tools, such as chatbots, have increasingly become integral to daily activities,
enhancing productivity and efficiency. However, as the use of these tools rises, so does the concern
about their effect on critical thinking skills. While AI can undeniably improve efficiency, its overuse
may foster cognitive offloading, diminishing users' engagement in independent problem-solving and
critical reflection. This essay argues that excessive reliance on AI can indeed reduce critical thinking
abilities, and it will provide strategies to mitigate these effects.
One major concern with over-relying on AI is the potential for cognitive offloading. Cognitive
offloading refers to the delegation of cognitive tasks, such as decision-making or problem-solving, to
external tools like AI, which reduces the mental effort required for such tasks (Gerlich, 2025).
Research has shown that while this may be efficient in the short term, it can lead to a decline in users'
ability to engage in deep, reflective thinking. For instance, Gerlich's (2025) study found that frequent
AI tool usage was significantly correlated with lower critical thinking skills due to increased
cognitive offloading. By relying on AI to handle routine tasks, users may lose the opportunity to
practice and strengthen their analytical and evaluative skills, which are essential for critical thinking.
Moreover, over-reliance on AI tools can lead to a diminished sense of task ownership and personal
responsibility. AI systems, such as chatbots, are designed to provide quick solutions, which can
make users feel less compelled to question or verify the information provided (Lee et al., 2025). This
passivity in engagement can reduce users’ ability to assess information critically, as they may accept
AI-generated content without proper scrutiny. As Lee et al. (2025) argue, confidence in AI can result
in users exerting less effort in evaluating the information provided, which may foster a dependency
on the tool and reduce independent problem-solving.
Additionally, the shift from active engagement to passive oversight, where users only verify or adjust
AI-generated content, may reduce opportunities for the development of critical thinking skills. AI
tools often simplify tasks by providing ready-made solutions, but this simplicity comes with the risk
of users bypassing the complex cognitive steps involved in problem-solving and analysis (Fügener et
al., 2022). The more users delegate to AI, the less they may exercise their cognitive muscles in tasks
that require deeper reflection and judgment, which are essential components of critical thinking.
To mitigate the negative impact of AI on critical thinking, users must adopt strategies that encourage
engagement with AI in a reflective and critical manner. First, users should maintain a mindset of
active questioning, even when using AI tools. They should verify AI-generated information with
multiple sources, ensuring that the content aligns with established knowledge or independent insights
(Gerlich, 2025). Second, users can set boundaries on the use of AI for routine tasks, ensuring that
they continue to engage in complex, critical tasks without relying solely on AI tools. Lastly,
integrating reflective practices, such as regularly reviewing AI outputs and considering alternative
solutions, can help preserve critical thinking skills. According to Lee et al. (2025), when users
engage more deeply with AI outputs, they are more likely to retain their cognitive engagement and
develop higher-level thinking.
QUESTION ONE – ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Essay 1
The Impact of Excessive Reliance on Generative AI on Critical Thinking
Generative AI tools, such as chatbots, have increasingly become integral to daily activities,
enhancing productivity and efficiency. However, as the use of these tools rises, so does the concern
about their effect on critical thinking skills. While AI can undeniably improve efficiency, its overuse
may foster cognitive offloading, diminishing users' engagement in independent problem-solving and
critical reflection. This essay argues that excessive reliance on AI can indeed reduce critical thinking
abilities, and it will provide strategies to mitigate these effects.
One major concern with over-relying on AI is the potential for cognitive offloading. Cognitive
offloading refers to the delegation of cognitive tasks, such as decision-making or problem-solving, to
external tools like AI, which reduces the mental effort required for such tasks (Gerlich, 2025).
Research has shown that while this may be efficient in the short term, it can lead to a decline in users'
ability to engage in deep, reflective thinking. For instance, Gerlich's (2025) study found that frequent
AI tool usage was significantly correlated with lower critical thinking skills due to increased
cognitive offloading. By relying on AI to handle routine tasks, users may lose the opportunity to
practice and strengthen their analytical and evaluative skills, which are essential for critical thinking.
Moreover, over-reliance on AI tools can lead to a diminished sense of task ownership and personal
responsibility. AI systems, such as chatbots, are designed to provide quick solutions, which can
make users feel less compelled to question or verify the information provided (Lee et al., 2025). This
passivity in engagement can reduce users’ ability to assess information critically, as they may accept
AI-generated content without proper scrutiny. As Lee et al. (2025) argue, confidence in AI can result
in users exerting less effort in evaluating the information provided, which may foster a dependency
on the tool and reduce independent problem-solving.
Additionally, the shift from active engagement to passive oversight, where users only verify or adjust
AI-generated content, may reduce opportunities for the development of critical thinking skills. AI
tools often simplify tasks by providing ready-made solutions, but this simplicity comes with the risk
of users bypassing the complex cognitive steps involved in problem-solving and analysis (Fügener et
al., 2022). The more users delegate to AI, the less they may exercise their cognitive muscles in tasks
that require deeper reflection and judgment, which are essential components of critical thinking.
To mitigate the negative impact of AI on critical thinking, users must adopt strategies that encourage
engagement with AI in a reflective and critical manner. First, users should maintain a mindset of
active questioning, even when using AI tools. They should verify AI-generated information with
multiple sources, ensuring that the content aligns with established knowledge or independent insights
(Gerlich, 2025). Second, users can set boundaries on the use of AI for routine tasks, ensuring that
they continue to engage in complex, critical tasks without relying solely on AI tools. Lastly,
integrating reflective practices, such as regularly reviewing AI outputs and considering alternative
solutions, can help preserve critical thinking skills. According to Lee et al. (2025), when users
engage more deeply with AI outputs, they are more likely to retain their cognitive engagement and
develop higher-level thinking.
