AI can make workers better — then worse at their jobs, an innovation theorist warns

As artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate the workplace, its impact on employee performance is becoming a topic of concern. While AI is often marketed as a tool that enhances productivity and efficiency, John Nosta, an innovation theorist and founder of NostaLab, warns of a significant downside: the potential for skill deterioration after the initial boost. Nosta describes what he terms the 'AI rebound effect.' He explains that while AI can improve a worker's capabilities—like a doctor using AI during a colonoscopy to identify small polyps—there's a risk of regression once that technological aid is removed. "The skill set actually falls below baseline," he notes, highlighting a troubling trend where reliance on AI can weaken fundamental skills. This concern extends beyond mere dependency; it involves a distortion in self-assessment. Nosta argues that AI can create an illusion of competence, leading workers to overestimate their abilities. This sentiment is echoed by academics such as Rebecca Hinds from the Work AI Institute and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Saul Perlmutter, who also caution that AI can undermine sound judgment. According to Nosta, this false sense of capability can be particularly dangerous in high-stakes situations. Workers might take on responsibilities that exceed their actual skills when AI support is no longer available. He identifies a growing 'cognitive codependent relationship,' especially among younger employees entering a workforce increasingly dominated by AI technologies. While AI can indeed make tasks easier, Nosta warns that using it as a crutch rather than a tool for learning can lead to a decline in cognitive ability. This concern is supported by findings from researchers at Oxford University Press, which suggest that while AI accelerates tasks, it may diminish the depth of thinking. Kimberley Hardcastle, a business and marketing professor at Northumbria University, adds to the conversation by cautioning that heavy AI reliance could cripple independent critical thinking, or what she calls the 'atrophy of epistemic vigilance.' To combat this cognitive decline, Nosta advocates for a balanced approach that includes intentional resistance to over-reliance on technology. By fostering 'cognitive grit' and using AI as an aid to learning rather than a replacement, he believes we can preserve essential thinking skills. In an age where human cognition faces unprecedented challenges, Nosta's insights serve as a crucial reminder: the biggest threat may not be the technology itself but rather our potential to forget how to think critically without it.