Human Intelligence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Paradox or a New Evolution?

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) profoundly impacts both individuals and societies. Among these effects, perhaps the most intricate is the potential transformation of human intelligence. Scientific research suggests that technological tools can weaken certain cognitive functions while enhancing others. However, there is no long-term evidence yet to support the notion that AI directly and permanently lowers human IQ.

Throughout history, humanity has reshaped its mental capacities in response to new technologies. The printing press increased access to information and literacy; calculators took over routine calculations. The internet revolutionized our methods of seeking knowledge. Now, the question of how to define human intelligence in the era of AI is once again at the forefront.

Examining AI’s impact on human intelligence is not merely a technological issue but also a sociocultural one. Historically, humans have supported their minds with external tools: computers and smartphones are continuations of this process, with AI representing a more autonomous and “intelligent” phase. AI can alter how and to what extent we use different components of intelligence, such as memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and social interaction.

In this article, we will explore the transformation of human intelligence in the AI era across dimensions like cognitive offloading, memory/attention, intelligence measurement, education, the business world, and ethics. We will evaluate existing evidence and discussions while avoiding speculative approaches.

Cognitive Offloading: Lightening the Brain or Encouraging Laziness?

“Cognitive offloading” refers to the delegation of mental tasks to external tools. Smartphones, GPS, search engines, and AI systems are examples of such tools. But does this process weaken intelligence or enhance its potential? Cognitive sciences continue to debate this question.

Some studies indicate that the use of digital tools can lead to distraction and a decline in memory performance. For instance, individuals who constantly receive notifications may struggle with tasks requiring focus, or heavy GPS use might affect their ability to create “mental maps.”

On the other hand, it is argued that cognitive offloading can free up mental resources for more complex and creative tasks. According to this view, delegating routine tasks to machines allows the human mind to concentrate on higher-level functions such as abstraction, conceptual thinking, and social interaction.

However, the positive or negative outcomes of this scenario depend on how we use technology. There are cognitive differences between a user who questions AI and reflects on its outputs and a passive consumer.

Memory and Recall in AI Users

Recently, studies have focused on the memory and recall abilities of those using AI tools, particularly GPT-based applications. These studies typically:

• Assign tasks to participants with and without AI assistance,
• Compare their recall performance in subsequent tests.

Most findings are short-term and limited by small sample sizes; comprehensive causal studies are still lacking.

For now, it is more accurate to say:

• AI and digital tools can have short-term weakening effects on certain memory and attention tasks.
• However, claiming “AI permanently damages our memory” requires long-term and comprehensive studies.

Memory, Attention, and Critical Thinking: Risks and Transformations

In the AI era, fundamental skills such as memory, attention, and critical thinking are both at risk and undergoing transformation due to the constant stimuli of the digital environment and automation possibilities.

Memory: Knowing Where, Not What

In the digital age, the tendency to remember where information is stored is replacing traditional memorization. Cognitive psychology debates the increase in this tendency. AI and search engines:

• May reduce the storage of information in long-term memory,
• But can highlight the ability to form conceptual connections and critically evaluate information.

Attention: The Continuously Divided Mind

Constant notifications and social media are among the main factors challenging attention spans. AI-supported applications are also part of this ecosystem. Research has linked digital exposure to attention disorders and difficulties in deep focus.

Critical Thinking: How We Question AI Matters

The impact of AI on critical thinking is closely tied to how it is used. Some studies in educational technology suggest that AI-supported systems can enhance problem-solving skills, while others warn that automation increases the risk of becoming accustomed to “ready answers.”

Therefore, for AI to support critical thinking, systems based on active questioning, comparison, and justification are vital. Otherwise, the use of critical thinking skills may decline and weaken.

IQ, Intelligence Tests, and the Abstract Dimensions of Human Intelligence

In the AI era, the question “Is intelligence declining?” is frequently asked; however, scientifically answering this question is complex.

IQ and General Intelligence (g)

Intelligence tests (IQ) have been used for decades to measure cognitive abilities. However, studies directly linking AI or digital tool use to long-term causal effects on IQ are limited.

As of today, there is insufficient scientific basis to claim that “AI is lowering the IQ of the general population.”

The Flynn Effect and Possible Reversal

The Flynn effect refers to the trend of rising IQ scores over generations throughout the 20th century. However, recent reports indicate that this increase has stalled or reversed in some countries.

• Various hypotheses exist regarding the causes of this change: education, socioeconomic factors, digitalization, etc.
• The role of AI in this trend is speculative and requires further research.

Thus, comments like “the reversal of the Flynn effect may be linked to digitalization/AI” should clearly remain at the level of discussion.

The Abstract Dimensions of Intelligence: Creativity, Wisdom, Social/Emotional Intelligence

AI systems can match or surpass humans in tasks like pattern recognition, data analysis, and certain production jobs. However:

• In dimensions like empathy, value judgment, and moral reasoning,
• In the capacity to understand complex social contexts,

current AI systems do not possess human-level comprehension.

This situation necessitates considering creative, wisdom-based, and social intelligence dimensions when rethinking the concept of intelligence in the AI era.

A New Intelligence Profile in Education and Business: Which Skills Will Survive?

AI technologies are shaping which cognitive skills will be prominent in both education and business.

Education: Shortcut or Learning Tool?

Intelligent tutoring systems and AI-supported feedback tools can provide students with personalized content and quick error feedback.

Warnings exist that when AI tools are used as “shortcuts directly providing results,” students may develop a habit of reaching answers without cognitive effort. However, when AI is used as a tool for research and idea generation, it can support cognitive skills.

At this point, the concepts of “AI literacy” and “critical digital literacy” are gaining importance.

Business: Routine Tasks to Automation, Complex Skills to Humans

Reports from the World Economic Forum foresee that routine cognitive tasks will be taken over by automation; however, the demand for skills like problem-solving, creativity, and social communication will increase.

According to these forecasts, complex skills that AI cannot take over will gain value. However, more empirical data is needed on which skills these professions demand.

Therefore, it is possible to say that while AI takes over routine tasks, human intelligence will focus more on areas like strategy and evaluation.

Ethics and Meaning: To Whom Do We Entrust Our Decisions?

AI systems are becoming prevalent in areas requiring value judgment, such as justice, healthcare, and recruitment. However, these systems:

• Are successful at identifying patterns in data,
• But lack the capacity to understand normative concepts, a consensus widely held.

Bias in AI and Automation Bias

There are numerous cases where AI systems have made biased decisions. Psychology literature examines the tendency of people to overly trust AI as “automation bias.”

Therefore, it is emphasized that it is important for ethical and political decisions to remain under human responsibility. AI should be positioned as a decision support tool.

These arguments are based more on philosophical evaluations than experimental evidence and should be framed as opinions/discussions.

The Long-Term Picture: Is Our Intelligence Shrinking or Changing Direction?

Many comments about the future of human intelligence in the AI era are inherently speculative.

Biological Evolution or Cultural/Evolutionary Adaptation?

Claims that AI has a direct impact on biological evolution in the short term are weakly supported scientifically and require more research. Biological evolution is a process that spans hundreds of years; AI has developed over a few decades.

In terms of cultural evolution, it is known that technologies like writing, printing, and the internet have changed human cognition.

In this context, AI can be thought of as an “external module” of human cognition: as tasks like calculation and recall are externalized, intelligence may shift more towards coordination, interpretation, and creativity.

From this perspective, rather than “shrinking” human intelligence, we might be experiencing a period where the functions retained within the brain versus those externalized are changing.

This assessment is based on theoretical frameworks and early findings but should not be presented as a definitive prediction.