What happened
University of Toronto researchers Emily Zohar, Michael Inzlicht, and Paul Bloom, in Communications Psychology, argue AI's removal of friction from intellectual work and social interaction carries substantial psychological costs. Their research posits AI eliminates "beneficial friction" essential for learning, motivation, and meaningful human experience, unlike prior technologies that removed "excess friction." This risks weakening foundational skill development, particularly for individuals in early stages, by bypassing critical cognitive processes.
Why it matters
AI's frictionless design risks hindering skill development and human connection. Founders and CTOs must strategically integrate AI to support, rather than replace, effortful processes critical for competence building. Procurement teams must evaluate AI tools not just for efficiency gains but for their impact on user learning and motivation, especially in educational or training contexts. This follows recent concerns regarding AI's impact on junior developer competence, highlighting the need to preserve the struggles that drive growth.
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