Staying Sharp: Practical Strategies for Preserving Cognitive Skills in the Age of Generative AI

Does using ChatGPT for work tasks like writing weaken our ability to think critically? A recent MIT study suggests that over-relying on AI tools could undermine our thinking abilities. While the research uses a relatively small sample, the findings echo other studies from National Institute of Health and Carnegie Mellon University. 

The concern? Our rush to save time with AI might come at the cost of core skills.Although nonprofit leaders are stretched thin, today’s shortcuts may undermine the strategic thinking their organizations need tomorrow. We risk becoming “AI passengers” in a driverless taxi rather than “AI drivers” who actively navigate working with AI tools.

Here are some tips for staying in the driver’s seat.

Tip 1: Use AI to Enhance, Not Replace. 

Always think first, engage with AI second so you develop your own ideas before getting AI’s input. Alternate between AI-assisted and “brain-only” modes of working and be careful not to make AI-first your default.

Think of AI as a co-author, not a ghost writer. Delegate parts of the writing process to AI selectively.  For example, you might explore ideas or get feedback for 15-20 minutes to produce your final draft, but avoid regularly using a one-shot prompt that you copy and paste without minimal revision.

Tip 2: Strengthen Critical Thinking. 

Many nonprofits have AI policies highlighting limitations like hallucinations, but catching these risks in practice requires different skills. As AI tools get more sophisticated, they’re getting better at making stuff up. They’ll confidently present fake sources or facts in such an authoritative tone that we’re more likely to believe it.

Question AI responses. AI can be a genius or clown and it is your job to understand the difference. Always ask yourself: “What is missing?” “Is it really true?”  When you lack domain expertise, be extra cautious. Review AI’s output with humility, know what you don’t know. Cross-check ChatGPT’s answers with knowledgeable sources. And, don’t forget to use your common sense.

Make fact-checking AI output a team norm rather than hoping people will “be more critical.” Try “Spot the Error” activities where staff identify mistakes or gaps in AI’s response. Take note of these patterns to sharpen your clown spotting skills over time.

Tip 3: Designate Some Tasks “Human-Brain Only” To Avoid Over-Reliance 

Think of AI as hot sauce, not ketchup. You don’t need it for everything. Define which tasks you’ll delegate to AI and which you’ll do yourself. Mark some tasks as AI-free.

If you’ve been outsourcing too much thinking to ChatGPT, you might be crossing the line to over-dependence. Watch for skills atrophy warning signs: taking much longer to complete tasks you used to do quickly or struggling to start work without AI prompts. These signal too little friction in your cognitive life. Your brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly. If you don’t use it, you will lose it.

Tip 4: Become A Cognitive Maximizer 

Over-reliance on AI might weaken your memory and recall. We’ve seen this before: we stopped memorizing phone numbers when cell phones arrived and now remember where to find information instead of the information itself.

The reality of how digital tools impact our memory ability is nuanced. Before we sound the alarm that using AI rots our brains, freeing up mental space from rote memorization can actually allow us to focus on higher-level thinking. The real issue comes when we stop engaging our brains altogether.

Actively strengthen your recall through analog practices, like handwritten notes or walking to think. View it as professional development, not a productivity drain. When you strengthen your recall, you become better at making connections, recognizing patterns, and drawing insights. These are essential skills for leading strategic nonprofit work.

Tip 5: Reflect, Don’t Just Generate 

Compare your initial thinking with AI output to understand how the two approaches differ. Build reflection into your workflow. After using AI, ask yourself: “What did AI help me see differently?” or “What did I learn about my own thinking process?” This reflection helps you stay in the driver’s seat.

For team projects, conduct brief after-action reviews focusing on what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned. After using AI to summarize data, discuss where AI provided valuable insights versus where human judgment caught important context AI missed. Gain insights about the differences between human wisdom and AI reasoning. 

Tip 6: Build AI Literacy Skills Beyond Prompting 

AI literacy goes beyond prompting skills or building custom GPTs that automate tasks for efficiency. Although those skills are important, AI literacy is also about strategically reinvesting that saved time into uniquely human work. Ask, “What will I do with the time AI gives me back?”

Encourage your team to recognize where human judgment adds irreplaceable value. Practice identifying moments when a program decision requires understanding community context AI can’t grasp, or when stakeholder relationships need the kind of trust-building that only happens between people.

Conclusion

The choice is yours: become an AI passenger who gradually loses cognitive skills, or stay an AI driver who uses these tools strategically while keeping your brain sharp. These tips ensure you and your organization can think critically, solve problems creatively, and build the relationships that drive real impact.