They’re called “sloppers” — people who can’t function without an AI chatbot.
The rise of ChatGPT and other LLM-based, generative AI (genAI) chatbots has inspired a large number of people to habitually consult AI before doing anything. They ask it what to order in a restaurant. They ask it what to wear. They ask it for relationship advice, arguments to use in a discussion, even what time to go to bed at night. Needless to say, they’re also asking AI to write their emails, reports, social media posts, papers, and texts.
“Sloppers” outsource their decision-making to chatbots and, as a result, their ability to make decisions and cultivate the knowledge needed for decision-making atrophies. An MIT study published in June found that people using ChatGPT wrote less effectively, scoring lower on memory, focus, and critical thinking tests than those who wrote solo or with search engines. EEGs showed the largest drop in brain activity and recall in people under 30.
Along those same lines, Microsoft–Carnegie Mellon survey found that office workers who relied most on AI felt less confident and checked facts less.
The over-reliance on chatbots leads to something researchers call “cognitive debt,” where the ability to remember and analyze declines. On the other end of the spectrum, we find a growing number of people who use AI chatbots for accelerated learning.
Most people are somewhere in the middle. But you don’t have to be. You can be an AI super-learner.
I recently told you my one secret to using genAI to boost your brain: Never consult AI at the beginning of an email, a report, a paper, or a brainstorming session. Only do it at the end, and use AI to suggest any blind spots or missing ideas. That way, you regain your capacity to write and think, but also partner with AI to improve the outcome of your work.
Since then, new tools have emerged or come to my attention that I’d like to share with you. Here are the most powerful tools I’ve discovered for becoming an AI-accelerated learner.
Lex
We all use some kind of word processor — most professionals use Microsoft Word. A common misuse of genAI is to ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot, either on the websites offering those chatbots or using the versions integrated with their word processor (Word integrates Copilot, for example), to write words for us.
Another use case is a grammar-checker, which can also be used as a word processor, but without most of the formatting and other options of real word processors. Grammarly is a leading brand in this arena, along with ProWritingAid, Ginger, and Hemingway Editor.
Most genAI chatbots excel at writing something — some banal, often inaccurate thing — for you. But a writing tool called Lex excels at partnering with you to bring the best words out of you.
One of my favorite features is “Chat,” where you can have a conversation with AI about your document. You can ask it questions like, “Could this be more persuasive?” or “What major examples am I missing?” or even something wide-open like: “So, what do you think of this?”
Lex answers like a colleague, making useful suggestions and providing insights, all without giving you the words.”
It also has grammar checking (as well as individually selectable style points to check for such as “Brevity,” “Cliches,” “Readability,” “Passive Voice,” “Confidence,” “Citation” (which identifies claims that need evidence), “Repetition,” and others. My favorite option is “Custom,” which lets you check your document for anything at all, which you can enter as a prompt, etc. The system works great because it isolates the types of checking, then involves you in every decision, so you’re learning as you go. And it invites minimal AI checking.
In general, Lex’s helps you learn to write better, rather than writing for you and weakening your writing skills.
Study Mode for ChatGPT
OpenAI launched a new learning interface this week called Study Mode for ChatGPT. This feature is intended for students, but is useful for anyone who wants AI-driven accelerated learning. (Study Mode is available to all logged-in users on Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans globally, with support for ChatGPT Edu subscribers rolling out over the next few weeks.)
To use it, you click the Tools menu in the prompt window, choose Study and learn, and then tell ChatGPT what you want to study and your academic level. You can add the content you’d like to study, which focuses the tools directly on your target information. Study Mode peppers you with questions to find out your goals and knowledge level. And then it uses questions to guide you into breaking down problems, thinking through steps, and generally grilling you until you know the information.
Instead of handing you the answer, Study Mode is designed to encourage critical thinking.
LearnLM
In June, Google launched a tool called Gemini for Education. It’s a free addition to Google Workspace for Education. Students and teachers can use it to upload notes, textbooks, or assignments and get detailed breakdowns, quizzes, or even podcasts. And it can play the role of a tutor, asking you questions, explaining topics step-by-step, and offering hints to guide your learning.
Teachers can create their own “Gems” — custom AI assistants — to support specific lessons or help students work through complex simulations based on real class material. Audio Overviews, interactive videos, and personalized study guides are all part of the offering.
Unfortunately, Gemini for Education is only for teachers and students. If you’re a business person and want similar features, you’ll want to try Google’s LearnLM.
LearnLM launched in May and works in Gemini — Google’s main AI app — or inside Google’s Search and YouTube for Education, where it breaks down tough topics, coaches users step-by-step, and supports learning with instructor-like feedback. You can tell it to grill you with questions like they’re flashcards, and use other methods to learn, memorize, and think problems through.
Anyone with a Google account, anywhere, can try it out in Google AI Studio or on their phone with Gemini or Circle to Search. But these two AI giants aren’t the only way to get super smart with AI.
The educational AI industrial complex
There are also tools like StudyMonkey and AI Blaze, which focus on AI-generated flashcards, quizzes, summaries, and practice questions for various subjects, including support for STEM through text, notes, or even images.
Mindgrasp is another comprehensive solution; it offers AI-powered note-taking, live class recording, and conversion of uploaded content (such as PDFs and videos) into useful summaries, quizzes, and flashcards.
Extensions like Wisdolia turn web pages, PDFs, and documents into active recall flashcards, making it easier for students to absorb and remember material. For mobile learners, Socratic by Google answers student questions, explains solutions visually, and provides real-time feedback, making it especially useful for high school and introductory courses. Revisely helps with memorization, generating quizzes, summaries, and organizing topics for easy review.
For instant explanations and broader subject coverage, tools like Tutor AI or TutorBin let users paste questions and receive AI-generated responses, sometimes even combining this service with live human tutoring. Long-standing platforms such as Quizlet, Anki, and StudySmarter have added AI features for flashcard creation, quizzes, and spaced repetition.
Most of these are aimed at students, but anyone can use them.
AI can make you dumber or it can make you smarter. But only if you’re smart enough to never be a “slopper,” and always use AI to enhance, rather than replace, your brain power.
This story originally appeared on Computerworld
