Want to avoid AI deskilling? Pilots may have the answer.
Pilots have long faced the risk of deskilling from relying on autopilot. Their experience may offer lessons for workers navigating AI at work.
TL;DR
- Pilots' experience with autopilot offers lessons for workers using AI, highlighting the risk of "cognitive surrender" and deskilling.
- Federal aviation guidance has repeatedly warned pilots about the degradation of manual flying skills due to continuous autopilot use.
- Experts like Steven Shaw, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sam Altman, and Arthur Mensch caution that overreliance on AI can weaken cognitive abilities.
- Research shows people readily accept AI's answers and recommendations, even when incorrect, demonstrating a trend of "cognitive surrender."
- Advice for avoiding deskilling includes developing one's own judgment before using AI, like writing first drafts or handling initial and final task percentages.