Can the presence of an engine in a car, airplane or any other vehicle lead to dystrophy of the leg muscles? Can the invention of an excavator lead to the uselessness of a shovel?
I would say No, AI tools can automate tasks that were previously done manually, such as data collection, analysis, and even some aspects of writing or summarizing information. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity in research, allowing researchers to focus on higher-level analysis, interpretation, and innovation.
Ha ha, ha ha ha!! Of course. Calculators did the same thing. Many people use calculators for complicated equations with no real understanding of the math. But that same laziness allows them to accomplish tasks, quickly and efficiently, that they would never have been able to do without the calculator. While laziness does not equal efficiency, it can be used to implement efficiency. I've had a few girlfriends call me lazy, when they really meant efficient.
The impact of AI on human mental engagement in research is quite complex. While AI can handle routine tasks and process vast amounts of data swiftly—freeing up researchers to focus on more complex issues—there is a risk that over-reliance on AI could reduce critical thinking skills if researchers accept AI-generated results without proper scrutiny. However, AI also demands new skill sets and could potentially stimulate creativity by uncovering new patterns and hypotheses that might not be immediately apparent to humans. Moreover, the ethical and critical engagement required to deploy AI responsibly in research necessitates rigorous intellectual effort. Therefore, whether AI leads to mental laziness depends largely on how researchers choose to use and interact with this technology. It can either promote intellectual complacency or serve as a powerful tool that expands the boundaries of human knowledge .
Farshid Hesami