News24 host Paul Murray said that using artificial intelligence for everyday tasks could weaken critical-thinking skills and make brains lazy [1, 2].

This warning highlights a growing concern regarding the long-term impact of automation on human cognition. As AI tools become integrated into routine decision-making, the lack of mental effort may diminish the brain's ability to function at peak capacity over time.

Speaking during an episode of "Paul Murray Live" in Australia, Murray compared cognitive health to physical fitness [1, 2]. He said that the brain requires regular mental exercise to maintain its strength, much like a muscle in the body.

"Use it or lose it; it works for every single muscle in your body," Murray said [1].

Murray said that while AI can provide accurate information, the process of arriving at an answer is where the cognitive benefit lies. He said that the effort of thinking is what preserves mental acuity as people age [1].

"May the information be correct, sure, but the part that keeps your brain alive to be able to remain at maximum function while you're healthy, and at maximum function the older you get, you need to use the damn thing," Murray said [1].

His comments reflect a broader debate on the trade-off between efficiency and intellectual rigor. By outsourcing mental labor to algorithms, Murray said individuals risk a reduction in overall cognitive function [1, 2].

“"Use it or lose it; it works for every single muscle in your body"”

This perspective aligns with the 'cognitive offloading' theory, where humans rely on external tools to reduce mental effort. While this increases productivity, the concern is that the atrophy of critical-thinking habits may make individuals more susceptible to misinformation or less capable of complex problem-solving without digital assistance.