Journal of Jishou University(Social Sciences Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 52-60.DOI: 10.13438/j.cnki.jdxb.2026.04.006

• Artificial intelligence and big data • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Cognitive Offloading Risks of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Their Mitigation

Qi Shaoping,Zheng Junyan   

  1. (School of Marxism,Xiangtan University,Xiangtan 411105,Hunan China)
  • Online:2026-07-01 Published:2026-07-16

Abstract: The deep integration of generative artificial intelligence with human cognition is reshaping the contemporary cognitive ecosystem,initiating a paradigm shift in human-AI cognitive coupling.Currently,generative AI primarily gives rise to three major cognitive offloading risks.The first is the trap of intellectual inertia:AI's substitution for information processing and content generation leads to the deterioration of active thinking and critical reasoning.The second is the paradox of realistic deception:generative models,by virtue of "logically self-consistent fabrications," blur the boundary between the real and the fabricated,thereby eroding the informational foundation of social trust.The third is the dilemma of cognitive manipulation:algorithms surreptitiously shape public agendas and value judgments through mechanisms such as information filtering and ranking,thereby undermining human decision-making autonomy.In response to these risks,a comprehensive countermeasure system should be established.To counteract intellectual inertia,it is necessary to cultivate embodied cognitive fields and strengthen deep-thinking training,thereby reshaping human initiative and critical capacity.To defend against realistic deception,a tripartite approach should be adopted:coordinated regulatory legislation,upgraded technological detection tools,and individual source-verification mechanisms,all aimed at reconstructing a reliable information ecosystem.To deconstruct cognitive manipulation,mechanisms for reflecting on cognitive bias should be developed,transparent algorithm-interaction designs should be promoted,and a "cognitive integrity" assessment framework should be introduced to ensure human agency in value judgment and meaning construction.Ultimately,guiding the human-AI relationship from instrumental dependence toward symbiotic wisdom,achieving a dynamic balance between technological empowerment and cognitive sovereignty,represents the crucial pathway for maintaining a healthy cognitive ecosystem and fostering sustained innovation in human civilization within the digital age.

Key words: generative artificial intelligence, cognitive offloading, ethical embedding, technological alienation, over-reliance

WeChat e-book chaoxing Mobile QQ