Recently, my son, who is currently studying at university, shared a revelation with me that I was already expecting: most of his classmates are producing their assignments mainly by using ChatGPT. Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are artificial intelligence systems trained on vast amounts of text data to generate human-like responses and provide assistance with various language tasks.

This reliance on LLMs for every writing task might be an early warning sign that humans, especially the younger generations, will lose touch with the essential skills of critical thinking, creativity, and language proficiency. As we continue to witness remarkable advancements in language technology, tools like ChatGPT will become an integral part of our lives. The seamless generation of well-structured and coherent text – although with some “hallucinations” every now and then – at the touch of a button undoubtedly will make our lives more convenient. However, we cannot ignore the potential consequences of an overreliance on these tools. Are we, as a society, heading towards a decline in our ability to write logically, just as calculators have impacted our mathematical capabilities?

The impact of calculators on our mathematical abilities is an appropriate analogy for the potential decline in logical writing. Before the widespread use of calculators, individuals had to learn and practice how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. As calculators became a staple in our lives, most people lost the ability to perform basic arithmetic without these devices. With the advent of LLMs, we may be facing a similar issue when it comes to our writing skills.

The power of ChatGPT and other LLMs to generate articulate texts, answer questions, and provide information with ease is undeniable. However, their extensive use could have unintended consequences on the development of crucial skills, particularly among young people.

Writing requires the ability to think critically and cohesively. When we depend on LLMs to generate text, we risk losing our capacity to analyze, evaluate, create, and express our own arguments. This could lead to intellectual stagnation and a diminishing ability to write logically individually and as a society.

Also, relying on AI-generated text can limit our imaginative potential. As we become accustomed to language patterns and structures produced by these models, our unique creative voices may be suppressed, resulting in a lack of originality and diversity in writing.

Like how calculators have impacted our arithmetic abilities, overusing LLMs may lead to a decline in our language and grammar skills. By depending on these models to produce text, we might inadvertently weaken our understanding of grammar rules, sentence structures, and other linguistic nuances essential for logical writing.

As society embraces the convenience and assistance offered by LLMs, we must ask ourselves: Can we navigate the uncertain long-term implications of relying on these powerful tools without compromising the essential skills of critical thinking, creativity, and language proficiency that have been fundamental for human development?