Editor's Note: Every September marks World Alzheimer's Month, an international campaign to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
As artificial intelligence tools reshape daily workflows and personal routines, a pressing question emerges: Could heavy reliance on AI impair human cognitive health? Recent online debates speculate whether reduced mental engagement from AI dependence might heighten risks of Alzheimer's disease—a neurodegenerative condition affecting over 55 million people globally.
Professor Guo Yi, principal investigator at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Brain Health Program expert at United Family Hospital, offers reassurance. "Using AI tools often prompts critical reflection—users analyze why certain answers work and how to improve their own approaches," Guo explains. "This active engagement counters passive reliance. Current research shows no direct causation between AI tool usage and dementia onset."
While long-term effects require continued study, experts emphasize maintaining balanced cognitive habits. Simple practices like problem-solving exercises and social interaction remain vital for brain health alongside technological adoption.
