Royal Observatory warns AI could make humans less intelligent
scienceMay 18, 2026834
Paddy Rodgers of the Royal Observatory warned that instant AI answers risk making humans less intelligent by fostering dependence that erodes skilled reasoning. He invoked the Observatory's history of publishing the Nautical Almanac and warned AI threatens "losing the habits of questioning that underpin knowledge." Rodgers highlighted generative AI's ability to produce complex text, images, video and audio as a driver of easy answers that can weaken problem solving and critical evaluation. He urged institutions and educators to guard against dependence so people retain practices needed for navigation, science and informed decision making.
