Humans at Risk of Thinking Less as AI Promises Instant Answers

The Royal Observatory Greenwich warns that instant AI answers could erode core thinking skills by encouraging reliance on machines instead of asking questions and evaluating information; the First Light project highlights balancing AI progress with human curiosity and learning. While AI has accelerated science (e.g., AlphaFold2 protein folding) and is praised as a cognitive aid, experts caution against cognitive outsourcing and urge responsible, selective use of AI as a tool rather than a substitute for inquiry.