Survey: most Scots fear AI use is eroding memory and independent thought
A Scottish Bridge-commissioned poll of 1,002 adults finds 70% worry AI is making people think less for themselves.
What to know
- A Find Out Now survey of 1,002 Scottish adults, commissioned by Scottish Bridge, found 70% worry AI use for instant answers means people think less for themselves.
- 41% of Scots worry technology reliance has worsened their memory, rising above 50% among adults under 40.
- Academics warn AI is outsourcing not just factual recall but judgment and problem-solving, and could deepen social isolation via chatbot use.
- The survey was commissioned by a bridge card-game organisation, which is using the findings to promote offline social activity as an alternative.
“There’s also a quieter social cost and self-isolation concerns, as more people turn to chatbots rather than a friend, colleague or stranger, partly because it’s anonymous and carries less risk of embarrassment.”
Ana Basiri, Director, University of Glasgow Centre for Data Science and AI · Evening Standard ↗ · Sep 26
Sarah Gunn Chairwoman of Scottish BridgeAna Basiri Director, University of Glasgow Centre for Data Science and AIAndrew Hoskins Professor of AI, memory and war, University of Edinburgh
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Academics say AI is outsourcing judgment, not just memory
University of Glasgow's Ana Basiri and University of Edinburgh's Andrew Hoskins said the fears reflect a pattern seen with calculators, GPS and smartphones, but warned AI is displacing judgment and first-draft thinking on a larger scale and could deepen social isolation.
“It’s not just memorising facts and directions being outsourced, it’s also judgment, first-draft thinking, and problem-solving skills too.”
— Ana Basiri -
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Scottish Bridge chairwoman promotes card game as offline alternative — Sarah Gunn said bridge develops memory, concentration and problem-solving skills while giving people a reason to socialise away from screens, framing the survey as evidence of demand for offline mental challenges.
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Survey finds 70% of Scots worry AI reduces independent thinking — A Find Out Now poll of 1,002 Scottish adults, commissioned by Scottish Bridge, found more than two-thirds agreed AI use for instant answers means people think less for themselves, with roughly half also concerned their memory has worsened.
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first by Yahoo Finance UK, 1d ago · also Evening Standard