DeepMind's CEO says using AI can make you a genius — or hurt your critical thinking skills
Business Insider
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has cautioned that AI’s impact on critical thinking depends heavily on how individuals choose to use it. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, he likened AI to the internet, emphasizing its potential to either enhance learning and cognitive skills or degrade them if used lazily. Hassabis warned that overreliance on AI for tasks like problem-solving could erode critical thinking, but stressed that responsibility lies with users to harness the technology effectively.
Hassabis’s remarks align with growing concerns among tech leaders about the risks of AI dependency. Mark Cuban has previously noted that people typically fall into two categories: those who use AI as a tool to enhance knowledge and those who rely on it to avoid learning, which he describes as “lazy.” Similarly, Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral, warned that excessive reliance on AI could make humans overly comfortable and dependent, ultimately leading to laziness. These warnings highlight the importance of mindful AI usage in both personal and professional contexts.
For businesses, the implications are significant. While AI can streamline operations and boost productivity when used strategically, overreliance may lead to complacency and poor decision-making. The key takeaway for business leaders is the need to strike a balance: leverage AI as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. By doing so, companies can maximize efficiency while preserving critical thinking skills—a crucial asset in an increasingly competitive market.
Hassabis’s comments also reflect broader debates about AI’s role in society. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, questions about its ethical use and long-term effects on human cognition are becoming increasingly relevant. For businesses, this means adopting a proactive approach to AI adoption, ensuring that employees are trained to use the technology effectively without fostering dependency.
In conclusion, while AI holds immense potential for business innovation, its impact on critical thinking underscores the need for responsible usage. As tech leaders like Hassabis, Cuban, and Mensch emphasize, the onus is on individuals and organizations to harness AI in ways that enhance productivity and learning rather than diminish human capabilities. For businesses, this means embracing AI as a tool to complement human skills, not replace them, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation in an AI-driven world.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/20/2026