News
September 25, 2025
Commentary: The internet made us stupid. AI promises to make it worse
Floating along on my bicycle on a daydream of a country road, up behind me came a man on a hissing e-bike, going fast, headed somewhere important. I thought at that speed — 25 miles an hour, I estimated —...
The digital age has fundamentally reshaped our lives, and not always for the better. While the internet promised a wealth of knowledge and connection, some argue it has inadvertently fostered a culture of superficiality and intellectual laziness. Now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, concerns are growing that this trend will only accelerate, potentially leading to a further decline in critical thinking and genuine understanding.
The image of a cyclist on a tranquil country road, suddenly overtaken by a man speeding by on an electric bike, serves as a potent metaphor for this shift. The author, reflecting on this encounter, suggests the e-bike rider, hurtling along at an estimated 25 miles per hour, embodies the relentless pursuit of efficiency and speed that characterizes our digitally driven world. This pursuit often comes at the expense of contemplation, reflection, and a deeper engagement with the world around us.
The internet, with its endless stream of information and instant gratification, has arguably shortened our attention spans and incentivized skimming over in-depth analysis. We are bombarded with bite-sized content, tailored to our preferences by algorithms, reinforcing existing biases and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. This constant influx of easily digestible information can create a false sense of knowledge, making us believe we understand complex issues without truly grappling with their nuances.
AI, with its ability to generate text, summarize information, and even create art, threatens to exacerbate this problem. While these tools can be incredibly useful, they also risk further reducing our reliance on critical thinking and independent thought. If we become overly dependent on AI to process information and make decisions for us, we risk becoming passive recipients of knowledge, rather than active learners and critical thinkers. The potential for AI to curate and filter information based on pre-programmed biases also raises serious concerns about the manipulation and control of public opinion.
The challenge lies in harnessing the power of the internet and AI responsibly, ensuring they serve as tools for empowerment and enlightenment, rather than instruments of intellectual decline. We must cultivate a conscious awareness of the potential pitfalls of these technologies and prioritize critical thinking, independent research, and a genuine thirst for knowledge. Only then can we navigate the digital landscape without sacrificing our intellectual curiosity and our capacity for genuine understanding.
The image of a cyclist on a tranquil country road, suddenly overtaken by a man speeding by on an electric bike, serves as a potent metaphor for this shift. The author, reflecting on this encounter, suggests the e-bike rider, hurtling along at an estimated 25 miles per hour, embodies the relentless pursuit of efficiency and speed that characterizes our digitally driven world. This pursuit often comes at the expense of contemplation, reflection, and a deeper engagement with the world around us.
The internet, with its endless stream of information and instant gratification, has arguably shortened our attention spans and incentivized skimming over in-depth analysis. We are bombarded with bite-sized content, tailored to our preferences by algorithms, reinforcing existing biases and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. This constant influx of easily digestible information can create a false sense of knowledge, making us believe we understand complex issues without truly grappling with their nuances.
AI, with its ability to generate text, summarize information, and even create art, threatens to exacerbate this problem. While these tools can be incredibly useful, they also risk further reducing our reliance on critical thinking and independent thought. If we become overly dependent on AI to process information and make decisions for us, we risk becoming passive recipients of knowledge, rather than active learners and critical thinkers. The potential for AI to curate and filter information based on pre-programmed biases also raises serious concerns about the manipulation and control of public opinion.
The challenge lies in harnessing the power of the internet and AI responsibly, ensuring they serve as tools for empowerment and enlightenment, rather than instruments of intellectual decline. We must cultivate a conscious awareness of the potential pitfalls of these technologies and prioritize critical thinking, independent research, and a genuine thirst for knowledge. Only then can we navigate the digital landscape without sacrificing our intellectual curiosity and our capacity for genuine understanding.
Category:
Politics