AI Dependence Erodes Workers' Critical Thinking and Soft Skills, Experts Warn

Experts are warning that widespread AI dependence is quietly eroding workers' critical thinking, judgment, and soft skills, with leaders stressing that knowing when NOT to use AI is now just as essential as knowing how to use it.

• As workers increasingly offload thinking to AI tools, many are losing critical soft skills such as reading people, making judgment calls under uncertainty, and trusting their own instincts.
• ServiceNow's chief learning officer Jayney Howson warns that AI literacy alone is not enough, stressing that workers must master three key skills: core role competencies, effective AI use, and knowing when NOT to rely on AI.
• Cognitive offloading poses a serious risk across all departments, as employees who use AI as a crutch may struggle to perform independently if those systems fail or become unavailable.