Is AI Making Gen Z Less Intelligent? The Truth Behind the Headlines
Okay mama, let’s talk.
You’ve seen the headlines.
“AI is making Gen Z dumb.”
“This generation is less intelligent.”
It sounds scary.
But here’s the truth: there is no scientific proof that AI is lowering our kids’ intelligence.
Some dramatic articles pushed that idea into the spotlight, like this one:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/gen-z-is-the-first-generation-dumber-than-their-parents-neuroscientist-claims/
Big headline. Not hard evidence.
What research actually shows is more balanced.
Gen Z uses AI a lot. For homework. Writing. Studying. And interestingly, many of them admit they worry about relying on it too much. Harvard Business Review covered that here:
https://hbr.org/2026/01/how-gen-z-uses-gen-ai-and-why-it-worries-them
Study habits are shifting. Some students use AI instead of working through problems on their own. A Stanford-led survey explores that here:
https://scale.stanford.edu/publications/harvard-undergraduate-survey-generative-ai
Experts also talk about something called cognitive offloading. That just means when technology does the thinking, our brains don’t work as hard in that moment.
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3824308/genai-can-make-us-dumber-even-while-boosting-efficiency.html
Notice what’s happening?
This isn’t about kids being less intelligent.
It’s about effort and engagement.
And here’s some perspective.
Every generation had a “this will ruin the kids” moment. Calculators. The internet. Social media.
Our kids adapted.
AI can actually help. It can explain tough concepts. Help brainstorm ideas. Improve writing clarity. Used wisely, it supports learning.
https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/01/how-every-generation-uses-ai-from-boomers-to-gen-z.html
So are our kids getting dumber?
No evidence says that.
What is happening is this:
• Thinking habits are changing
• Effort levels vary
• AI access is growing faster than AI guidance
That’s not a brain crisis.
It’s a parenting moment.
The real key is balance.
Let them try first.
Use AI to refine, not replace.
Ask how they figured something out.
Keep some learning offline.
AI isn’t making our kids dumb.
But like any powerful tool, it needs boundaries and guidance.
And honestly?
That’s something moms are pretty good at.
