Neuroscientist David Rock warned that artificial intelligence could erode human judgment if workers outsource their analysis and decision-making to machines, according to a United Nations News piece published Oct. 29.
As organizations rapidly adopt AI tools, Rock warned that handing over thinking can erode judgment and skills. Separately, he noted research suggesting that spending significant time with AI companions may increase feelings of loneliness.
Rock stated that perhaps five to 10% of workers use AI to offload routine tasks, while most are doing the opposite. “When your brain’s not in the game, you very quickly lose those skills,” he said. He warned that outsourcing analysis and evaluation risks a loss in the ability to distinguish good ideas from bad ones.
The rise of AI adds to an existing excess of information, overwhelming the brain’s limited capacity for attention, according to Rock. He compared the current period to the early days of automobiles before traffic laws existed.
Rock also noted that AI hacks attachment. He cited research suggesting that spending significant time with AI companions may increase loneliness, and other studies pointing to links between heavy reliance on chatbots and increased disconnection from real-world social interactions.
To adapt, Rock said individuals should maintain control over AI systems by using them to test assumptions and explore alternative viewpoints rather than replacing human judgment. Rock, the co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute, is one of the keynote speakers at UN Skills Fest 2026.