Posted by: Hare Krishna Deka
Updated by: Hare Krishna Deka
July 6, 2026 at 9:01 pm
The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) could have profound effects on human intelligence, employment and socioeconomics. However, this effect is not unidirectional; There are both positive and negative.
1. Possible effects on human intelligence
(a) Impairment of certain mental faculties
If humans start relying on AI for everything, some capabilities may be lost.
Memory: The need to remember phone numbers, information, dates etc. will be reduced.
Computational ability: General math or analytical thinking skills may decrease.
Writing skills: AI can reduce the habit of writing articles, letters and reports by yourself.
Critical thinking: Habitual acceptance of AI-provided answers without checking can erode independent judgment.
This is sometimes called “cognitive offloading”—that is, handing over the work of one’s brain to a machine.
(b) Development of new types of intelligence
AI can also enhance human thinking.
The required information can be extracted from large databases.
New horizons will open up in research, medicine, science and literary criticism.
People will be able to focus more on identifying problems, posing questions, making ethical decisions and being creative rather than memorizing information.
AI cannot replace human intelligence, but rather acts as a kind of “intelligence augmentation”.
2. Impact on employment
(a) Many jobs are likely to be lost
Repetitive and rule-based tasks in particular may be at risk.
For example-
Data Entry Operator
Call center staff
General accounting work
In some cases of translation
Some customer services of the bank
Some jobs are in the warehousing and manufacturing industries
Many companies are already using AI to reduce staffing.
(b) Creation of new employment
Technological change has destroyed many jobs in the past, but it has also created new ones.
New field can be-
AI experiments
Data scientist
AI trainer
Expert in AI policy and law
Expert in robotics
Creative design and content creation
The problem is that new jobs are more skill dependent than lost jobs.
3. Will unemployment increase?
Probably yes, at least temporarily.
especially-
Low skilled employees
Middle class “white collar” job seekers
Those who cannot acquire new skills
They may be more vulnerable.
But its impact will not be equal in all countries.
Countries that invest in education and skills development can create new opportunities.
Countries that are not prepared for these changes may experience increased unemployment and inequality.
4. Will humans be completely controlled by AI?
probably not
Some human abilities are still different from AI-
Moral judgment
sympathy
Deep human connection
Art and original imagination
Decision making under uncertain conditions
For example, a doctor doesn’t just make a diagnosis; He tries to understand the patient’s fears, hopes and emotional state. A teacher not only imparts information; He also motivates the students.
5. Larger Social Questions
The development of AI raises a fundamental question—
If most of the work of production is done by machines, how will the wealth produced be distributed in society?
In response to this question, some economists have suggested measures such as universal basic income, although its effectiveness is disputed.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is neither the only threat nor the only boon to humans. Results will depend on how people use it. If AI is used as a means to enhance human creativity, judgment and knowledge, it can bring about a new breakthrough in human civilization. However, if society does not provide for education, retraining and equitable resource allocation, AI may increase unemployment, inequality and social instability.
Perhaps the key question of the future will be – “Humans created AI; but how will humans preserve their human qualities in the age of AI?”