Artificial intelligence tools are powerful helpers, but they can also erode your critical thinking if used without intention. The article argues that many people fall into the trap of accepting AI’s output passively — treating it as a ready-made answer rather than a starting point for deeper reasoning. Relying on AI without reflection can weaken analytical skills over time because users may stop engaging with ideas or evaluating trade-offs themselves.
To prevent this, the author suggests using AI as an assistant, not a substitute for your own thinking. This means explicitly asking AI to support your reasoning — for example, by generating alternatives, highlighting assumptions, or challenging your hypotheses — rather than simply providing a canned solution. By doing this, you force yourself to engage with the reasoning process and treat AI as a partner in thought rather than a replacement.
Another key recommendation is to craft better AI prompts. Instead of asking for final answers, frame questions that invite explanation, comparison, and justification — for instance, “What are the pros and cons of this idea?” or “Explain why this approach might fail.” Such prompts encourage deeper dialogue between you and the AI, helping you develop insight and refine your judgment while still benefiting from the model’s synthesis capabilities.
Finally, the article emphasises continuous learning and self-validation. Users should routinely cross-check AI outputs against trusted sources, personal expertise, and independent reasoning. This practice helps ensure that AI augments your cognitive abilities rather than diminishes them and reinforces your intellectual autonomy. Using AI in this way preserves your own thinking skills as you leverage the technology’s strengths.
