So-called “artificial Intelligence” is everywhere. From the way we write emails to how we develop business strategies. But amidst the excitement over speed and efficiency, a quieter conversation is taking shape: what happens to human thinking when we lean too hard on machines?
At Leficomp, we’ve been exploring that exact question. And the answer might surprise you.
The MIT Study Everyone’s Talking About
A recent MIT study found that students using tools like ChatGPT to write essays showed significantly less brain activity and retained less information than those who wrote the essays themselves.
The message?
If you outsource your thinking, your brain stops doing the work.
In business, that’s a dangerous precedent.
AI can be a powerful tool, but without domain-specific knowledge and human oversight, it can lead to hollow decisions and lost opportunities.
The 20-60-20 Rule: A Smarter Way to Use AI
At Leficomp, we teach what we call the 20-60-20 rule for responsible AI use:
- 20% human input: Start with your expertise. Know your domain. Craft a thoughtful prompt or framework.
- 60% AI assistance: Let the AI do the heavy lifting of drafting, analyzing, and generating.
- 20% human refinement: Bring your brain back in. Edit. Validate. Align the output with strategy and values.
This approach protects your brain power while still benefiting from AI’s speed and scale.
Why Critical Thinking in the Age of AI Matters More Than Ever
Hiring in today’s AI-driven world means more than checking a box for tech skills. We now look for thinkers, not just doers.
As Jores, our co-founder, puts it: “If you’re relying on AI to do your job, you’re probably not great at either.”
You want people who:
- Understand their craft deeply
- Use AI to enhance output, not replace thinking
- Can challenge assumptions and improve results, not just follow scripts
That’s the essence of critical thinking in the age of AI.
Leaders, It Starts with You
If you’re a small or mid-sized business owner, your team looks to you for guidance.
And if you’re not setting the example by thinking critically, using AI responsibly, and encouraging innovation, why should they?
AI is just a tool. You are the thinker.
Use it to enhance, not erase, what makes you valuable as a leader: clarity, wisdom, judgment, and creativity.
Final Thought: Tech Isn’t the Answer. People Are.
The atom gave us both power plants and nuclear bombs.
AI will be no different.
What matters is how we use it. And that starts with awareness.
So if you’re serious about becoming a future-ready leader, start by strengthening your own critical thinking and teaching your team to do the same.
