Is everyone becoming smarter or just better at copying? Ask AI.

Have you noticed that your colleagues at work have recently started writing well-polished emails? Have you also noticed that employees are suddenly sharing creative PowerPoint presentations? And have you noticed that social media networks today are flooded with articles and posts from people who, in the past, did nothing more than click “like” or “re-share” someone else’s content? Has everyone suddenly become smarter or are they just better at copying whatever is generated by artificial intelligence apps? Welcome to a not-so-intelligent society that may eventually become even less intelligent, thanks to the AI revolution.
Last week, my article revolved around the future of our kids and, in particular, the negative impact on their thinking due to their utter reliance on artificial intelligence generative applications (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, DeepSeek, etc.). I shared some concerns as well as suggestions to help avoid the catastrophe that may result from inefficient use of AI in schools.
This week, let me focus on working adults, who have suddenly become “superstars” because of their use of AI.
As a start, take a look at the professional social media network LinkedIn today. You will notice that your feed is full of deep reflections from people who had never posted such articles before (let alone posted anything at all). Clearly, much of this content is generated by apps like ChatGPT. Too many words, too little originality. Everyone sounds smart online now, but at the same time, robotic and alike. For someone with experience like myself, it is often possible to tell whether a post is original or simply a copy-cat creation.
Is AI creating an intelligent society? In short, not for those who highly depend on it and use it blindly. Why? The simple answer: AI makes them think less and, worse, become more addicted to it.
Just as social media became addictive like a drug, AI generative apps will, if they have not already, become addictive for working adults. Look around in offices and you will see this firsthand. Almost everyone, from clerks to CEOs, is using ChatGPT to draft emails and presentations, sometimes without even knowing the meaning of the content or checking whether the generated information is factual and accurate.
A prominent study I recently read reported that more than 53 percent of employees admit to using AI apps at work. Tasks include, but are not limited to, writing reports, responding to emails, summarizing documents, and more. Furthermore, over 24 percent of employees said they no longer felt confident performing those tasks without AI.
Last week, I highlighted the same concern in education, where students openly admit to using AI tools to write assignments. Teachers struggle to detect it, and some do not even try. The result, in both cases, is an unintelligent society that depends entirely on AI.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving remain among the top in-demand skills. Unfortunately, those are exactly the skills that AI-dependent workers risk losing because of their reliance on AI apps.
To conclude, let me confess and be clear about one thing: I am a technologist, and I definitely support AI as a technology. It is an incredible advancement and can be highly efficient. My concern, however, is the complete dependence on it, without applying one’s own effort or thought.
AI is undeniably a powerful tool. It can write, research, analyze, code, design, and more. Nevertheless, the danger lies in dependence. The ability to think critically, write creatively, or solve complex problems will inevitably weaken.
My personal worry is that tomorrow’s generation, as it enters the workforce, will struggle with critical thinking and decision-making.
The solution is wise, not blind, use of AI.
Until we meet again next week, be careful and stay original.