A 2025 study involving 319 knowledge workers examined the relationship between the use of artificial intelligence and critical thinking. The researchers found that higher confidence in the ability of AI to complete a task correlates with lower engagement of critical thinking skills.
Conversely, individuals who maintain higher confidence in their own abilities tend to employ critical thinking more actively when working with AI tools. The study suggests that reliance on AI for decision-making may lead users to shift from independent problem-solving to merely verifying and selecting AI-generated outputs.
The findings indicate that while AI can enhance productivity and speed, it may also facilitate a reduction in the necessity for independent judgment. Experts suggest that users should periodically practice performing tasks without AI assistance to maintain their professional skills and decision-making capabilities.
