Overreliance

What happens when you use AI too much? Is there such as thing as too much? How do you know?

It's easy to see when others are over reliant on AI - they do things we thing would be stupid. But, that definition is subjective. You think it's stupid to use AI to write music. I think it's something I enjoy doing (though, I don't try to make any sort of profit for my playing with the tool). I think it's stupid to use AI to fix every word you type because you're too lazy to care about spelling and grammar, but you don't mind because what does your ability to spell matter when AI knows what you meant and can fix it so others can know what you meant too? We have different priorities as to what constitutes good and bad uses of the technology.

But, good and bad use is not necessarily overreliance. Overreliance has more to do with long-term effects and viewing AI as an authority figure. You are sick, should you go to the doctor, or just ask AI to suggest herbal remedies? AI has given you good advice for several recipes it's generated, so obviously it can't possibly go wrong with its suggestions... right? Are you losing your ability to think critically about the information AI is giving you? Can you spot the difference between "Sounds correct" and "is correct"?

A New York Times article,  "China's Push Into A.I. Has Led to a Problem: Too Much Usage" (Oct 2026) helps showcase some of the struggles China has been dealing with regarding their overreliance on AI. "A farmer lost 25 acres of seedlings after asking AI for advice". Xie Tong, a graphic designer, said in the article "It's like a marriage where you curse your partner but you can't leave them." AI chatbots are taking over human interaction and causing people to give up social interactions and healthy life choices. Critical thinking is eroding (cognitive offloading, cognitive atrophy).

But, to think this is a "China issue" is the wrong way to look at it. Don't we have the same issues in the US? Are we raising a generation that is exchanging their ability to think critically for an easier lifestyle? Are we raising the first generation that may be less intelligent than its predecessors because they no longer need to be more intelligent?