By Kerry Gallagher
In a broadly reported, but small, research study led by MIT, 54 adult subjects were divided into 3 groups and each was asked to create an essay based on a prompt. In the first session, the groups were prescribed the following:
Group 1: Participants used no tools (“brain only”)
Group 2: Participants used a traditional Google search
Group 3: Participants used generative AI (Chat GPT 4o)
During and after the first session, researchers used high-density EEG to test brain connectivity and asked participants what they could recall. Not surprisingly, Group 1 had the best connectivity and recall, and Group 3 had the lowest brain connectivity and recall. These results are not surprising.
What is most interesting are the results of the second session when the groups switched methods:
Group 1: Participants who first wrote the essay with no tools were instructed to write the essay again using Chat GPT.
Group 3: Participants who used AI were instructed to write the essay again using no tools.
Those who transitioned from AI to un-aided writing showed the lowest connectivity and struggled to recall their own writing from session 1. However, researchers were most interested to find “Students who began the task unaided and then revised with AI achieved the strongest brain-wide connectivity,” and “In contrast, 78% of students in the Brain-to-LLM group (who initially wrote without tools) quoted correctly even after transitioning to AI-supported writing.”This is important information for educators and parents. Although it is a small study and should be replicated before it is depended upon too firmly, we can take it into account when our kids want to use AI for school work. Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna, an MIT research scientist who led the study says, “The timing might be absolutely critical when you introduce the tools.” It is most beneficial for learners to complete a task with no tools first, and then improve their work with the help of AI. Based on this small study, participants had the most brain connectivity and the best recall when they used this strategy.