Artificial intelligence (AI) is appearing virtually everywhere these days. For instance, it’s in the smart devices used in our homes and in different tools and machines in the business world.
In fact, AI tools have appeared in many sectors of the workforce. Whether this use of AI tools will lead to massive unemployment remains to be seen.
However, it is also true that the overuse of AI can rob individuals of powerful critical thinking skills.
Why Is AI Influencing Critical Thinking?
In January 2025, Michael Gerlich of the Center for Strategic Corporate Foresight and Sustainability published research that found frequent use of AI tools and cognitive offloading negatively impacted a person’s critical thinking skills.
He defined critical thinking as a “multifaceted cognitive process that involves the capacity to think clearly and rationally, understand logical connections between ideas, evaluate arguments and identify inconsistencies in reasoning.” This process is crucial for effective decision-making, problem-solving and acquiring accurate knowledge.
Scholars Deborah Brown and Peter Ellerton challenge Gerlich’s study and others. They assert that AI does not harm people who already have higher levels of critical thinking.
Brown and Ellerton also say that critical thinking is needed at every step of applying AI to problem-solving and research. For people who are already trained in critical thinking and use it when using AI, the negative correlation evaporates. In the same way that emotional intelligence can mitigate the negative effects of emotions on critical thinking, critical thinking can change the negative effects of cognitive offloading.
Counteracting the Cognitive Effects of Artificial Intelligence Tools
While it would be great if critical thinking were a panacea for all of AI’s ills, AI tools should be used judiciously. There is a wealth of research and expert opinions affirming that the more one relies on AI, the more one’s cognitive skills are negatively impacted.
By enhancing digital literacy skills and learning methods to stave off cognitive fatigue, it’s possible to avoid or reduce “AI brain fry.” It is important to know when to set the bots aside and do your own thinking. Like every tool, AI has a function and when used properly, it can make life – even your mental life – better.
The Link Between Philosophy Degrees and Critical Thinking
Artificial intelligence is likely to require future graduates to learn new skills and prepare for not only new tasks, but for occupations that do not yet exist.
As a result, the explosion of generative AI, large language models and data analysis may just prove a boon to philosophy graduates. As tech evangelist Ibrahim Malick proclaims, “Philosophy graduates are uniquely positioned to lead in our AI-transformed world.”
While philosophy is not the only degree where critical thinking skills can be learned, it is widely recognized as one of the best majors for this endeavor. AI is creating a gap that studying philosophy can bridge.
Building Better Thinkers with Philosophy
Writing for The Conversation, writers Michael Vasquez and Michael Prinzing discussed the results of a study on over 600,000 college graduates. The study intended to demonstrate what philosophers have known (and claimed) for a long time: that philosophy is a “form of inquiry” that objectively leads to better thinking skills.
They found that for anyone seeking a graduate degree, completing a bachelor’s degree in philosophy was excellent preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). They contended that the skills learned with a philosophy degree are vital to people who write the algorithms and to the preservation of democracy.
Why Should Philosophers Become Involved in AI Development?
Daily Nous writer Justin Weinberg started an open discussion on “What roles are philosophers playing in the firms creating AI technologies, in the consultancies advising them, in non-profit organizations trying to keep an eye on them, in government regulation of them?” Judging by the list and the respondents, there are many philosophers helping to shape the development of AI.
Philosophers should be involved in any discussion about the ethical ramifications of any aspect of AI. According to journalist Lizzie Short, business leaders must understand and address ethical challenges arising from the use of AI. Philosophy can help with that.
Dr. Imed Bouchrika, a co-founder of Research.com and a chief data scientist, observes that AI is reshaping philosophy as well. He notes that graduates are exposed to data analysis and sought after for ethical oversight and interdisciplinary problem-solving roles.
Dr. Bouchrika adds that generative AI cannot:
- Engage in legitimate ethical deliberation
- Interpret texts
- Participate in creative arguments
- Facilitate quality dialogue
- Address novel situations
Sign Up for the Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy
While the number of philosophy degrees granted has been in decline over the last few years, generative AI is poised to change that for those students who plan ahead. For adult learners interested in improving their critical thinking, enhancing their digital literacy, and building a growth mindset, the University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy can prepare graduates to embrace AI as well as build the skill sets needed for ethical reasoning about AI and using AI tools in the workplace.
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