AI is changing the way we think. The question is whether we will realize it in time

But according to neuroscientist David Rock, the biggest question isn’t what AI will do for us. This is what it might do to We.

“In some ways, technology hasn’t changed us at all,” said Mr. Rock to us.

The human brain still makes decisions, solves problems, and responds to challenges as it has for thousands of years. But history shows that major events and long-term stress can leave lasting marks on the brain, shaping behavior for years or even generations.

The great paradox of AI

The current technological revolution may be one of those moments.

The difference, according to Mr. Rock, is that technology increasingly gives us a sense of control over almost everything. Need a ride? Press a button. Want dinner delivered? Press another. Searching for information? It is available instantly.

A growing sense of autonomy can provide freedom. But this also creates subtle pitfalls, especially because AI systems are now capable of performing tasks that previously required significant mental effort.

‘Keep your brain in the game’

The real worry is not that AI becomes more powerful. This is because people have become too willing to give up their thoughts.

Mr Rock recently described the current moment as a transition from “AI FOMO” to “AI hangover”. Many organizations rush to adopt generative AI tools, often before fully understanding their long-term impact. Now the consequences are clearer.

What he saw worried him.

A small percentage of workers, perhaps five to 10 percent, are using AI for what it is: easing routine tasks and freeing up mental capacity for more demanding work. However, most actually do the opposite.

Change has never been faster, but it will never be faster again – Dr. David Rock

“The brain likes to conserve energy,” he says. “It’s tempting to save your brain from thinking at all.”

The result, he warns, will be a gradual erosion of judgment. When people outsource not only routine work but also analysis, evaluation, and decision making, they risk losing the ability to differentiate between good ideas and bad ideas.

AI may provide answers quickly, but speed is not the same as wisdom.

“Keep your brain in the game,” he said. “When your brain isn’t working, you quickly lose those skills.”

Attention crisis

The rise of AI comes at a time when many people are having difficulty focusing.

According to Mr. Rock, the biggest challenge facing workers today is not a lack of information but an excess of information.

He compared the current moment to the arrival of email, which significantly increased the amount of information people had to process. But nowadays, the scale is much larger. Workers are bombarded by AI-generated messages, updates, notifications, and summaries, often far beyond what the human brain can realistically manage.

“Our brains actually have real limitations,” he said.

Computers can process thousands of decisions in an instant. Humans can’t. Yet many organizations continue to operate as if people have unlimited capacity to care and make decisions.

Mr Rock believes society is still in an “adjustment period” to AI, much like the early days of cars before traffic rules and speed limits existed. This technology is emerging faster than the social norms and boundaries necessary to use it responsibly.

Technology that wants to be your friend

Unlike previous technological breakthroughs, AI may change something more fundamental than jobs.

“It hacks attachments,” said Mr. Rock.

As television, books and smartphones compete for our attention, AI is increasingly competing for our relationships. More and more people are turning to chatbots not only for information but also for conversation, friendship, and advice.

The trend caught his attention.

Research, he says, shows that people who spend a lot of time interacting with AI colleagues may feel lonelier. Other research suggests a link between heavy reliance on chatbots and increasing disconnection from real-world social interactions.

The human brain evolved based on relationships with other people. Replacing too many interactions with machines may have psychological impacts that society is only beginning to understand.

As AI becomes more sophisticated, and as robotics, faster computing and next-generation internet technology converge, these questions will likely become even more pressing.

Why human relationships can become more valuable

Paradoxically, the more sophisticated machines become, the more valuable human relationships become.

Mr Rock believes the future will prioritize trust, authenticity and genuine human connections. In a world where machines can generate content, analyze data, and imitate conversations, the things that humans uniquely possess may become even more valuable.

“Human experience will have much higher value,” he said.

Rather than replacing humans, AI may ultimately increase the importance of human networks, deeper relationships, and meaningful collaboration.

The future is not guaranteed. However, this is a response to a world experiencing accelerated technological change.

And the acceleration was exactly what Mr. Rock.

“Change has never been faster,” he said, “but it will never be faster again.”

Perhaps the most important skill

So how can people adapt?

Mr. Rock boils down to one concept: metacognition, or thinking about thinking.

Rather than letting AI take over, he argues that humans should remain in control, using these systems to challenge and broaden their perspectives, not replace them.

AI can help people consider points of view they might otherwise ignore, test assumptions, and explore alternative interpretations. However, the responsibility to judge must remain human.

He calls this approach “humans leading.”

Technology, he says, works best when it deepens thinking rather than replacing it.

As AI becomes part of everyday life, these differences become increasingly important. Machines may be getting smarter and faster, but the challenge for humanity is ensuring that our minds remain active.

Because the future may not depend on how smart AI is, but on whether we continue to use the intelligence we already have.

David Rock, who coined the term “neuroleadership,” is the co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute, a global consultancy that applies neuroscience to leadership and organizational performance. Author of several books, including the bestseller Your Brain at Work and his latest, Your Story Has a Villainhe was one of the keynote speakers at the UN Skills Fest 2026 with the theme People at the Center.