How is AI dulling the minds of the younger generation, and why is Gen-Z showing lower IQ levels?

AI Impact on Gen-Z IQ: AI has simplified every task, and its impact is becoming evident in IQ levels as well. Gen-Z is the first generation to lag behind the preceding one in terms of IQ.

AI Impact on Gen-Z IQ: Gen-Z is the first generation to have a lower IQ than their parents. Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a leading global neuroscientist, states that the generation born between 1997 and 2010 is the first to underperform academically compared to their parents. He attributes this trend to an over-reliance on technology. Even more concerning is that many individuals in this generation believe they are highly intelligent. Technologies like social media and AI are being held responsible for this shift.

Areas where Gen-Z is lagging

Cognitive development has been monitored for several decades. For the first time, Gen-Z has shown poorer performance than the previous generation in areas such as basic attention, memory, literacy, mathematical skills, problem-solving abilities, and general IQ. This is occurring despite the fact that children today spend more time in school than children of the 20th century did. Horvath suggests that educational technology is a contributing factor; tablets and computers have become ubiquitous, leaving little room for genuine learning. Students spend hours scrolling through videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Instead of reading books, they now consume summaries through short videos.

How has AI had an impact?

Gen-Z is the first generation to live through the era of AI technology, which is considered the most powerful in human history. With a single prompt, AI can explain, calculate, summarize, design, and write code. It is also incredibly fast when it comes to reasoning. Until a decade ago, all of this seemed like the stuff of imagination. Now, with the answer to every question just a prompt away, the need to memorize and think for oneself is gradually fading. However, Gen-Z cannot be singled out for this. This generation lives in a world where everything has become easy—and this is not a new phenomenon; it happens with every technological advancement. The advent of the printing press eliminated the need for rote memorization. Calculators transformed mental arithmetic, while the internet completely revolutionized the information landscape. Similarly, AI is now transforming the entire process of accessing and generating knowledge.