Is AI Melting Our Brains?
Short answer, No! Also check out ChatGPT connectors and an opportunity to get funding for your AI use case.
MIT Research Goes Viral
“Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task”
A viral MIT study claiming that using ChatGPT might dull your brain, impacting you at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels. CNN and TIME picked it up. Millions of views. Warnings flying across social media like we just discovered AI was secretly turning us into zombies.
But here's the thing: most people commenting didn’t actually read it.
I did read a large chunk of it because something felt off when I started to read it. And I disagree with the research. There are some good points.
Let’s break it down:
Yes, the study observed slightly worse performance for participants using AI on a 20-minute writing task.
But, the sample size was only 54 people. That’s not large enough to start canceling your AI subscription.
Even the researchers noted that “human-AI collaboration” can improve outcomes, especially when used thoughtfully.
The real problem? People outsourcing their thinking to AI without engaging their own brain.
If you copy-paste AI outputs without reviewing, refining, or thinking critically, then yes, you might be underusing your mental muscles. But that’s not the fault of the tool. That’s on us.
I use ChatGPT every day to brainstorm, think through tough ideas, and clarify concepts. It sharpens my thinking not replaces it.
And let’s not forget: even the MIT researchers themselves used AI to analyze the essays. So clearly, it’s not all bad.
My take:
AI plus your brain is the winning combo. Use your tools. But don’t check out of your own thinking.
Heck, I forget what I had for lunch last Tuesday. Doesn’t mean my brain is melting. 😅
Want to see the study for yourself? Read it here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872
What’s your take, do you feel sharper or slower when using AI tools?
Ok, but where is the learning? I wrote about this as well:
https://kendratech.substack.com/p/wheres-the-learning-with-ai
Connectors in ChatGPT
Bring your tools and data into ChatGPT so you can search, reference, and work faster, all without leaving the conversation. ChatGPT now has connectors built inside of it. Click on settings and then click on connectors. Decide what tool you want to connect with ChatGPT.
As always make sure to turn off the improve model settings in ChatGPT if you haven’t already.
For ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Pro users, OpenAI may use information accessed from connectors to train their models if your “Improve the model for everyone” setting is on.
Workspace admins can also now build custom deep research connectors using Model Context Protocol (MCP) in beta.
MCP lets you connect proprietary systems and other apps so your team can search, reason, and act on that knowledge alongside web results and pre-built connectors.
This is available to Team, Enterprise, and Edu admins, and Pro users.
Now, the question is do we trust it to give it access to our other platforms. I tend to be a first jumper. Even I am taking it slow on this one. I think it has huge potential but proceeding with caution as it just rolled out.
Learn more here: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-connectors-in-chatgpt
Providing Ground by The Circuit
Submit your AI use cases that you are looking for assistance to be built out by professionals and provided up to $100,000 in funding for the development. Must be in the Greater Cincinnati region to apply. No fee to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity. Best of luck to you all!
2025 AI Adventures
New events are added weekly. Since our community spans over 32 states, we’re making it easier than ever for you to join the conversation from anywhere. These virtual sessions are designed to be interactive and packed with real use cases you can apply immediately.
July
July 1 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only. Only 7 spots left. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1407748927939?aff=oddtdtcreator
July 14 -16 Black Tech Week https://blacktechweek.com/ in person event in Cincinnati, OH. Emmy-winning actress, producer, and founder of KeyTV Network, Keke Palmer, will be the keynote. One goal in mind: to connect entrepreneurs and technologists to game changing resources, knowledge, investors and most importantly - one another.
July 16 Technology First AI Simplified Workshop from 8:30-10:30 in person in Dayton, OH. Bring your laptop. https://www.technologyfirst.org/event-6074735
July 24 Fort Thomas Google Marketing and AI for Social Media from 12-1 in person. https://business.nkychamber.com/events/Details/fort-thomas-business-council-merging-google-marketing-with-ai-for-social-success-1267924?sourceTypeId=Website
August
August 5 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1344523669489?aff=oddtdtcreator
August 12 Miami Valley HR 11:15-1 in Dayton, OH https://mvhra.mightevent.com/events/event-Details.cfm?eventKey=8054
August 13 Crossroads Impact Summit for Nonprofits
September
September 2 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only.
September 10-11 MidwestCon https://midwestcon.live/ This conference is gathering the top innovators, policymakers, creators, and visionaries from across the globe to tackle today’s emerging tech challenges.
September 18 Best in Tech Awards hosted by The Circuit from 5-9 pm https://thecircuit.net/event/best-of-tech-awards-2/
I love answering your AI questions. Feel free to message me.
Where AI and inspiration collide!
Kendra Ramirez
KendraRamirez.com
We provide AI Speaking and Training, AI Readiness Assessments, AI Strategy, AI roadmap and implementation, and AI Coaching for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits.
**For those new to my work, I have been in tech my whole career. Over 15 years of running my digital agency (website, social media, and lead generation) and 7 years of helping businesses navigate AI. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading over 100 training and speaking sessions, empowering businesses to embrace the transformative potential of AI. My passion lies in simplifying complex technologies to help organizations grow, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
I am so excited that you are on this journey with me! Thank you! 🤗
I have been writing weekly about AI here for over two years. You can search all of my enewsletters here if you are looking to brush up on a certain topic. kendratech.substack.com