Learning With GenAI - How Much is Too Much?

At the end of this section, you should be able to explain what cognitive offloading is and how using GenAI to offload mental tasks may undermine learning over time.

What is Cognitive Offloading?

Cognitive offloading is the act of using external tools or systems to reduce the mental effort required for a task. It includes everyday strategies like:

• Writing notes to remember information
• Setting reminders or calendar alerts
• Using calculators or search engines

These tools free up mental space, but they also shape how we think and how much we remember.

When Offloading is Helpful

At first glance, this sounds like a good thing…and sometimes it is. Used mindfully or intentionally, cognitive offloading can

• Free up working memory, making complex tasks more manageable
• Reduce mental load, supporting clearer decisions and greater creativity
• Minimize mental fatigue, enhancing focus and productivity
• Shift attention to higher-level thinking and problem-solving

When Offloading is Harmful

While cognitive offloading can save time and boost efficiency, it also carries risks. Overreliance on GenAI, especially when learning, can reduce opportunities for active recall, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving, all of which are essential for long-term cognitive growth and development.

An important question to ask when using GenAI is: Do the benefits outweigh the risks? 

Students who rely too heavily on AI-generated explanations, solutions, or summaries may find it harder to retrieve information from memory or apply concepts independently during in-person assessments, timed exams, or oral presentations, when AI tools are unavailable. Over time, this dependency may weaken memory formation¹, reduce active reasoning², and diminish the ability to solve problems or engage in deep, reflective thinking³.

Cognitive offloading doesn’t just change how we work; it changes how we learn.

When we rely on AI tools to do the thinking for us, we may remember less and struggle to build strong foundational and problem-solving skills. What feels like an easy workaround today can actually make it harder to think critically or learn deeply over time.

Research suggests that frequent reliance on GenAI, for information retrieval or decision-making, is linked to a significant reduction in critical thinking and cognitive engagement⁴. Studies also show that when students use AI passively, by accepting outputs without reflection or verification, they are more likely to experience shallower processing, weaker memory formation, and less sustained attention compared to students who complete tasks independently^5,6.

However, this does not mean avoiding AI altogether. Using it mindfully or strategically can counter these effects. These same studies suggest that when students use GenAI with intention, for example, by actively refining prompts, comparing multiple responses, verifying accuracy, or reflecting on reasoning, it has the potential to enhance higher-order thinking and metacognitive awareness^5,6.

Students who engage with GenAI critically and purposefully maintain curiosity, question assumptions, and strengthen their problem-solving skills over time⁷. In this way, mindful and intentional AI use supports deeper learning and helps offset the negative effects of cognitive offloading linked to overreliance.

Using GenAI mindfully is about finding balance.

Balance means using GenAI in ways that extend your cognitive capacity (for instance, to brainstorm ideas, organize complex information, or explore alternative perspectives), while still challenging yourself to think independently (engaging actively in reasoning, reflection, and practice).

Rather than replacing your cognitive effort, AI should complement it, helping you grow as a thinker while staying connected to the learning process.

Balancing Cognitive Offloading with Cognitive Engagement