A Conceptual Study of Cognitive Atrophy in Homo Sapiens through A Darwinian Analysis of Overreliance on Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
This conceptual study investigates the potential cognitive and evolutionary consequences of overreliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies among Homo sapiens. Framed through Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, the research explores how the increasing delegation of mental functions such as memory, problem-solving, and decision-making to AI systems may lead to cognitive atrophy and, over time, mental regression. The study draws on interdisciplinary literature from neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and technological ethics to argue that persistent dependence on AI poses a risk of “technological evolutionary displacement,” whereby intrinsic human cognitive abilities are gradually devalued in favour of machine efficiency. It assesses how these patterns manifest globally, with notable disparities between technologically advanced societies and regions still anchored in traditional knowledge systems, particularly in the Global South. The findings suggest that AI-induced cognitive atrophy could diminish traits historically favoured by natural selection, such as critical thinking and adaptability, raising concerns about long-term human development and mental resilience. The study proposes a reframing of AI development strategies toward models that emphasise symbiotic co-evolution, cognitive stimulation, and ethical safeguards. Ultimately, this research warns that while AI offers profound efficiencies, its unchecked expansion may redefine the adaptive landscape in ways that challenge the cognitive integrity and evolutionary trajectory of the human species
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