Better Than Average

In 2006, in pre-AI days, I struggled as the designated human navigator in the passenger seat using the oversized Melbourne Map. Yelling out upcoming turns to the driver from the passenger's seat wasn’t exactly my strong suit.

Fast forward to 2022, I found myself in a much worse situation while driving through regional Sydney. The GPS on my Android phone failed after the battery died, leaving me completely stranded without backup directions.

Looking back, these experiences highlight a fascinating shift in how we interact with our surroundings. Interestingly, I now feel far more familiar with Melbourne’s complex network of roads, suburbs, and landmarks than I ever did with Sydney’s. This contrast can be explained by a psychological concept called "Cognitive Surrender" or "Cognitive Offloading."

When we rely heavily on technology, such as GPS, we shift the mental effort of tasks like spatial navigation to the device, disengaging from actively learning or memorizing routes.

As a result, our ability to truly know and understand a city's layout - or any subject for that matter - diminishes when we no longer feel the need to engage with it directly.

Scientists refer to this as cognitive offloading - relying on devices to handle mental tasks, or in simpler terms, using technology so extensively that your brain takes a backseat.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect Uncovered

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with limited knowledge or skill in a particular area overestimate their abilities.

Conversely, highly skilled individuals often underestimate their competence, believing their expertise is common. This phenomenon, originally identified in a 1999 study by David Dunning and Justin Kruger, has significant implications for decision-making and societal systems.

The effect leads to the following manifestations:

• Overconfidence in the incompetent: Those with low competence lack the metacognitive skills to recognize their ignorance and thus overrate their capabilities.
• Underestimation by experts: Skilled individuals may perceive their expertise as basic, failing to recognize their standout performance.

Statistically quantified manifestations:

Workplace Dynamics:

At a tech company, 42% of employees rated themselves in the top 5% of performers, a mathematically impossible statistic. Such overconfidence hinders learning and collaboration while under-confident high performers miss leadership opportunities.

Driving Ability:

Studies show 80% of drivers rate themselves as "above average." Novices are particularly prone to overconfidence, leading to reckless driving.

More endemic manifestations:

Education:

Overconfident students avoid asking for help, while confident teachers might resist adapting their methods. This perpetuates gaps in knowledge and teaching effectiveness.

Healthcare:

Overconfident professionals may avoid collaboration or make risky decisions, while underconfident ones might delay key actions, endangering patient outcomes.

Politics:

Overconfident leaders may push oversimplified policies, while skilled individuals might avoid public roles. Confident but unqualified candidates often sway voters due to the bias.

Treating this process as acquisition of knowledge is deceptive. Why? Because it creates a bias towards grossly "overestimating" one's competence as knowledge.

It creates a "perfect storm"—people who don’t know and don’t even realize they don’t know.

With digital devices are kingpins of "tossing around" information, much like Australian politicians, a seismic shift is underway in the way we engage with knowledge. With the pervasive influence of instantaneous access, there's a growing trend of relying on technology rather than harnessing the power of the mind. This phenomenon is more than a mere dependence on gadgets; it signals a transformation in the cognitive landscape - a "voluntary cognitive abandonment," if you will.

Gone are the days when the richness of knowledge was anchored in the patience and perseverance of learning and remembering. The convenience of having answers at our fingertips has led to a decline in the desire to truly comprehend and retain information. The consequence? We are not just losing facts; we're dismantling the framework of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.

As we are driven by the need to know "right now," the essence of learning i.e. the struggle, the satisfaction, the effort, seems to be disappearing. The passive consumption of information may satiate immediate curiosity, but it risks eroding the very fabric of thought that fosters innovation and understanding.

Your thoughts on the matter?

Truly Yours,

Narghiza Ergashova

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How AI Challenges Critical Thinking | Narghiza Ergashova

Imagine a world where most cognitive effort - from remembering directions to solving complex problems - is outsourced to machines. This vision, while futuristic, reflects the reality we face today with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). From virtual assistants offering quick answers to recommendation algorithms simplifying choices, AI is now an integral part of daily life. However, alongside the efficiency and convenience it provides, AI introduces a cognitive cost.

Narghiza Ergashova explores the concept of cognitive offloading - a phenomenon where individuals rely on external tools for cognitive tasks instead of engaging their minds directly. With AI advancements, this trend is reshaping how we think, learn, and make decisions.

Cognitive Offloading and AI Tools

Cognitive offloading isn’t inherently negative. For centuries, humans have relied on tools, from using maps to navigate to calculators for arithmetic. But AI has redefined the scale and impact of offloading. Unlike static tools, AI actively processes, learns, and evaluates, reducing the mental effort required from users.

For instance, AI conversational agents like ChatGPT or assistants like Siri provide instant answers, eliminating the need to search and synthesize information. Predictive algorithms on platforms like Netflix and Spotify make decisions for us, such as what to watch or listen to. While these tools save time and energy, they can also disengage us from deeper cognitive processes like critical thinking and problem-solving.

Narghiza Ergashova highlights studies on the “Google Effect,” which show how access to search engines changes how people retain information—not by remembering facts, but by remembering where to find them. AI tools amplify this by not only storing knowledge but also performing reasoning tasks, further reducing reflective thinking.

Critical Thinking Under Threat

One of the most profound implications of heavy reliance on AI tools is their potential to undermine critical thinking skills. Critical thinking involves analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information to make informed decisions. It is a skill at the heart of problem-solving, creativity, and independence.

Recent studies, such as one led by Michael Gerlich published in Societies, demonstrate a strong negative correlation between frequent AI use and critical thinking abilities. Narghiza Ergashova highlights how cognitive offloading mediated by AI tools often leads to weaker independent reasoning. Younger generations, more reliant on AI due to their digital-native upbringing, are particularly vulnerable. These individuals tend to engage less in deep, reflective thinking, opting instead for AI-generated shortcuts.

Another noteworthy finding is the role of algorithmic bias. Narghiza Ergashova emphasizes that AI systems inherently filter content based on user behavior and preferences. While convenient, this often creates echo chambers, reinforcing existing biases and limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints. For critical thinking to thrive, exposure to contrasting perspectives is crucial. By narrowing the breadth of information, AI risks making users passive consumers rather than active thinkers.

Educational and Professional Implications: Narghiza Ergashova’s Perspective

The implications of AI-driven cognitive offloading extend deeply into education and professional settings. Schools and universities increasingly integrate AI systems to enhance learning. Adaptive learning platforms, for instance, tailor instructional content to individual students, while intelligent tutoring systems provide instant feedback. While such technologies improve efficiency and personalization, they simultaneously risk limiting the development of independent reasoning skills.

Narghiza Ergashova notes that students become accustomed to relying on AI-provided solutions, bypassing traditional problem-solving and critical analysis processes. Researchers warn that this reliance may erode cognitive flexibility, making it harder for students to transfer skills beyond specific contexts.

The workplace faces similar challenges. Professionals in fields such as finance, healthcare, and law increasingly depend on AI for decision-making. While AI tools excel in efficiency and pattern recognition, Narghiza Ergashova warns that over-reliance can impair human judgment. For instance, automated decision support may discourage users from questioning the logic or assumptions behind AI recommendations, potentially leading to flawed outcomes.

Balancing AI's Benefits and Cognitive Costs | Narghiza Ergashova

AI is neither an enemy nor a panacea—it’s a tool with immense potential to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and boost productivity. However, as Narghiza Ergashova emphasizes, it’s vital to adopt proactive strategies to ensure AI supports rather than diminishes human cognition.

1. Design Educational Interventions

Narghiza Ergashova highlights the importance of integrating AI into education while fostering critical thinking:

Encourage metacognitive practices by teaching students to evaluate AI-generated results critically.

Blend AI with traditional learning methods, like essays or debates, to promote reasoning without over-reliance on automation.

Assign tasks requiring connections between multiple sources and independent judgment.

2. Cultivate Ethical AI Usage

Ethical AI design is crucial for transparency. Narghiza Ergashova advocates for reducing algorithmic opacity, enabling users to understand the processes behind AI decisions. Organizations should establish policies to encourage validation of AI-generated content, avoiding blind trust.

3. Reinforce Independent Thinking

To preserve cognitive engagement, Narghiza Ergashova suggests:

Cross-verifying AI-provided information with independent sources.

Encouraging practices like memory exercises, critical reading, and brainstorming to nurture independent thought.

Structuring decision-making frameworks requiring human oversight and reasoning before accepting AI suggestions.

4. Leverage Human-AI Collaboration

Narghiza Ergashova underscores that AI should support, not dominate. Professionals can use AI to process large datasets but must critically analyze insights. This collaborative model ensures humans remain active participants in decision-making rather than passive recipients.

Long-Term Considerations

According to Narghiza Ergashova, education plays a key role in counterbalancing AI’s cognitive risks. Formal education equips individuals to question, probe, and contextualize AI-generated information, essential for younger generations growing up in an AI-powered world.

Future research into AI's long-term cognitive impact is critical, particularly as new tools emerge. By understanding how prolonged exposure affects creativity, reasoning, and memory, Narghiza Ergashova advocates for refining AI’s integration into society to build intellectual resilience.

Final Thoughts by Narghiza Ergashova

Narghiza Ergashova continues to drive conversations on the intersection of AI, cognition, and education, encouraging ethical practices and balanced integration of AI into everyday life.

Truly Yours,

Narghiza Ergashova

--> read more from Narghiza Ergashova here:

____________________________________________________

--->more about Narghiza Ergashova is here:

Narghiza Ergashova is a highly skilled finance executive based in Australia with extensive experience across industries like property, mining, chemicals, and infrastructure. She is recognized for her expertise in managing complex portfolios, building strong stakeholder relationships, and driving exceptional business performance.

As a thought leader, Narghiza regularly shares valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Through her Medium articles, she covers key topics such as employee engagement, effective leadership strategies, and overcoming business challenges. Her work resonates with professionals looking for actionable advice and inspiration to succeed in both their careers and personal lives.

To learn more about Narghiza Ergashova, you can explore her work on the Blogger, STCK.com or visit her Medium.com profile. Discover her expert insights and strategies for leadership, business growth, and navigating challenges in today’s fast-paced industries.

In May 2025 Narghiza Ergashova released her debut autobiography called Curly Clix Convictions . The book delves into Narghiza's journey as a professional, entrepreneur, and wife and a mother. You can visit her biography by clicking the link below.