Agency Decay: Are AI Tools Eroding Our Sense of Control?
We are, fundamentally, agents of our own lives.the feeling of control – that our thoughts lead to actions that shape our world – is central to who we are. Neuroscientists call this “sense of agency,” and it’s not just a philosophical idea, but a vital brain function: the feeling that we are causing things to happen. But as we increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to handle complex tasks, are we unknowingly diminishing this core human experience? A growing concern is “agency decay” – the subtle erosion of our feeling of control artificial intelligence.
The Brain’s Predictive Role
Our brains are incredibly adaptable, and our sense of agency is deeply connected to their ability to predict outcomes. when we intend to act, our brain anticipates the sensory results. this prediction is key; when the predicted outcome matches the actual outcome, our brain reinforces the feeling that we initiated the action.
This raises a critical question: what happens when AI steps into the loop? As we delegate more cognitive work to AI,the brain’s authorship loop may be disrupted,perhaps leading to a diminished sense of agency. The implications of this are profound,impacting not only our individual well-being but also our broader societal structures.
