# Is AI Making Us Less Intelligent? How artificial intelligence dependency impacts critical thinking skills - **Source:** [Afford Anything®](https://brifing.si/source/c886c1dc-b73e-4787-9394-ba1d7f1f281b) - **Published:** 2026-07-10 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/670653a9-bd8d-4dae-8258-7440423fe6e2 ## AI's Role in Declining IQ Scores The steady decline in IQ scores since the 1970s may be accelerated by artificial intelligence use. Lorraine Marchand from Columbia Business School argues over-reliance on technology dulls cognitive abilities. This effect is becoming particularly noticeable among younger generations. ## Balancing AI in Management Marchand discusses her 'AI board of directors' project with ironic humor - it might one day vote to fire her. The real focus is on creating synergy between human decision-making and artificial intelligence systems in organizational leadership. ## The Human Factor in Company Culture Interviews with 120 CEOs reveal strong company cultures stem from good managers, not AI. Leaders who create psychological safety, discuss failures openly, and build team loyalty drive lasting success in the digital age. ## The Threat of Digital Dementia Constant dependence on AI, search engines, and digital tools weakens memory retention and critical thinking. Marchand terms this 'digital dementia,' emphasizing how brains develop through wrestling with ideas rather than outsourcing them. ## Skills AI Can't Easily Replicate As technical tasks become automated, human skills like communication, leadership, empathy and emotional intelligence grow more valuable. Marchand suggests using AI as a 'thought partner' - develop ideas first, then ask AI to identify blind spots. ## Future Leadership Competencies Human capabilities gain importance in the automation era. Marchand's research highlights areas where AI complements but cannot replace human intelligence. True innovation emerges from the harmonious combination of technology and human cognition. ## Sources covering this story - https://affordanything.com/ai-and-critical-thinking/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._