DiscoverHumanity WorkingAre We Getting Worse At Doing Work?
Are We Getting Worse At Doing Work?

Are We Getting Worse At Doing Work?

Update: 2025-09-09
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Description

Heavy ChatGPT use may help short-term tasks—but it can quietly weaken your brain. 

In this episode, Paul and Matt unpack a new MIT Media Lab study and explain how durable skills act like muscles: neglect them, and they atrophy. They close with a blueprint to keep yours sharp with a few minutes a day. 

Five Key Learnings: 

  • MIT study found weaker brain activity and “cognitive debt” after ChatGPT use. 
  • Overreliance on AI dulls critical thinking and originality. 
  • Durable skills—like communication and problem-solving—need reps. 
  • Daily practice (even 5–10 mins) keeps skills from rusting. 
  • T-shaped careers rely on both depth and breadth—neglecting either costs you.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

MIT Media Lab / Tech & Learning article on “Your Brain on ChatGPT”

Humanity Working is a podcast focused on helping individuals, teams and organizations be ready for the future of work by maximizing their human potential.

For more information, and access to our weekly newsletter, visit us at humanityworking.net.

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Are We Getting Worse At Doing Work?

Are We Getting Worse At Doing Work?