Instant AI answers may weaken human intelligence, Royal Observatory warns - Storyboard18

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has raised concerns about growing dependence on artificial intelligence tools that provide instant answers, warning that excessive reliance on such systems could weaken human intelligence and critical thinking habits.

Paddy Rodgers, director of the Royal Museums Greenwich group, said relying only on AI-generated responses could reduce the culture of questioning, evaluation and curiosity that supports innovation and expertise.

Rodgers made the remarks while discussing "First Light", an ongoing transformation project at the Royal Observatory that aims to reinterpret centuries of astronomical research and scientific passion for modern audiences.

He said scientific breakthroughs throughout history were not achieved through technology alone, but also through human curiosity and independent exploration. According to Rodgers, AI systems may not always surface unexpected findings or information that can emerge during manual research and investigation.

Referring to early astronomers, Rodgers said researchers in the past created extensive records and observations that later became useful in ways they had not originally anticipated. He added that some of this work involved efforts “a machine would not do”, but eventually became valuable resources for future discoveries.

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At the same time, the report highlighted how AI has also contributed to scientific progress. It referred to Google DeepMind chief executive Sir Demis Hassabis sharing the 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for AI-driven work related to protein structures through AlphaFold2.

The article also cited comments from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who described AI as a “transformation” of cognitive excellence and suggested using the technology to challenge ideas and assumptions.

Academics and students have also spoken about the benefits of AI in research and learning when used responsibly. A lecturer from Oxford Brookes University told the BBC last year that AI tools could help students focus on more important aspects of learning, while warning against fully outsourcing thinking to technology.

Rodgers also compared AI-generated responses with earlier internet tools such as Wikipedia, saying users previously had clearer access to original or verifiable sources. He warned that instant AI-generated information could distance users from information that is easier to verify independently.

The comments come as AI-generated summaries and chatbot-style responses become increasingly common across search engines and social media platforms.

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