Neurologist says AI is unlikely to make people dumber and explains how to stay sharp

Dr. Majid Fotuhi says neuroplasticity lets the brain adapt and he recommends about 20 to 30 minutes of daily brain exercise.

Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a neurologist and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, speaks about how the brain adapts as AI becomes more common. He researches neuroplasticity and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and is the author of The Invincible Brain. He describes neuroplasticity as the brain's ability to rewire itself at any age and highlights the cortex and hippocampus as especially malleable. He notes that AI increases the amount of information people must evaluate, which places new demands on attention and memory. Main points: - Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins who researches neuroplasticity and Alzheimer's prevention. - Neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new connections and change anatomically with experience, training, and environment. - The cortex and hippocampus are central to cognitive tasks such as reading, writing, problem solving, and memory, and Fotuhi describes them as highly adaptable. - Fotuhi says he is not overly worried that AI will make people dumber, noting that AI presents more information that users must decide is true, false, or relevant. - He recommends about 20 to 30 minutes of daily brain exercise and gives examples such as memorizing names, dancing, and learning sports. - He reports that he limits relying on AI for trivial tasks, typically writing and editing himself before asking AI to critique or double-check. Summary: Fotuhi reports that neuroplasticity should allow people to adapt to greater information flows from AI, while increased information places new demands on attention and memory. The longer-term, population-level effects of AI on cognition are undetermined at this time.