{
  "id": 14052659,
  "title": "Mere Minutes With AI Causes a Sharp Drop in Persistence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/mere-minutes-with-ai-causes-a-sharp-drop-in-persistence",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-12T22:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nautilus",
    "slug": "nautilus",
    "url": "https://nautil.us/mere-minutes-with-ai-causes-a-sharp-drop-in-persistence-1285736/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study conducted by AI researchers at the University of California Berkeley suggests that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during brief test-taking sessions leads to a decline in persistence and accuracy among adult participants. The researchers designed a series of test-taking experiments in which adult participants were tasked with solving equations involving fractions. One group was given access to ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, while the other group had to solve the problems on their own. After completing the test, the group that used ChatGPT solved more equations correctly and skipped fewer questions than the control group. However, once the AI disappeared, the two groups swapped roles, with the group that used AI demonstrating higher persistence and accuracy. The researchers found the same effect in reading comprehension questions derived from SAT exams. This finding indicates that prolonged use of AI could weaken individuals' ability to maintain focus and persistence in learning, which could have detrimental effects on long-term learning outcomes.",
  "summary": "How much cognitive offloading is too much? The post Mere Minutes With AI Causes a Sharp Drop in Persistence appeared first on Nautilus .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}