Are we losing our minds to AI? | BBC News

Overview

The programme examines whether AI is augmenting human abilities or gradually eroding skills through cognitive offloading—relying on machines to do more of our thinking.

Key themes

How deskilling happens

Digital-work researcher Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila describes several forms of deskilling: experienced workers may lose skills through overreliance on automation; learners may fail to develop expertise if tools do too much of the work; and automation may simplify jobs so they can be done by less-skilled workers.

AI as a tool for human judgment

Paediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani describes using an AI model to help calculate a technical detail during conjoined-twin surgery. He argues that AI can improve human thinking, but clinicians must still integrate information, make judgments and take responsibility.

The central risk is losing the ability to work without assistance. People may appear more knowledgeable when AI helps them produce polished work, yet struggle to explain or evaluate it. Overreliance can also leave them less prepared when a system fails or encounters an unfamiliar situation.

Skills, trust and accountability

Human judgment and trust remain central, especially in medicine. Jeelani says patients and families place their trust in clinicians, who remain accountable for decisions. Rinta-Kahila agrees that humans should generally have the final say, while noting that public willingness to delegate tasks to machines may change if AI proves more reliable in particular settings.

The discussion also considers whether children and trainees should first learn literacy, numeracy and core professional skills without AI. A strong foundation can help them recognise when AI is wrong. Jeelani argues that creativity and progress depend on people continuing to work at the edge of their abilities.

Limits and incentives

AI is built from human knowledge and can reproduce human shortcomings, including bias and prejudice. Its recommendations should not be treated as unquestionable. Jeelani also urges greater attention to “organic intelligence”—how human brains learn, predict and make decisions.

Dr Stephanie Hare warns that business models can encourage dependence. She compares free AI access to a “razor-and-blades” strategy: users adopt a tool, become reliant on it, and then pay for continued access. She cautions against AI becoming indispensable for work, school or personal life.

Overall message

The guests see potential benefits in AI, including helping people understand subjects outside their expertise, but stress the importance of using it deliberately, maintaining independent skills and checking its output.

Presenters and contributors

Marc Cieslak (presenter); Owase Jeelani; Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila; Dr Stephanie Hare.