A new study by researchers from the US and UK confirms that using AI as an "answer machine" weakens problem-solving skills and reduces employee persistence in as little as 10–15 minutes. The experiment provides the first large-scale evidence of the "crutch effect," where immediate gains in productivity lead to skill degradation when working without algorithmic support.
During testing on fractional math problems, one group used GPT-5 while a control group worked independently. According to researchers, 61% of the AI users requested direct answers. Once the tool was disabled without warning, these participants performed significantly worse than those who had relied solely on their own abilities from the start.
Beyond the drop in accuracy, researchers recorded a decline in cognitive stamina. Subjects who relied on AI skipped problems nearly twice as often as the control group. Since there were no penalties for errors, the refusal to even attempt a problem became a direct indicator of lost motivation. While some participants asked the AI for hints or logical explanations, the majority preferred to receive ready-made solutions.
Interestingly, those who completely ignored AI assistance during the experiment showed the highest performance, even surpassing the control group. Meanwhile, users who opted for the path of instant answers paid the highest price in terms of personal performance. Results from a second experiment confirmed these findings: the group with AI access again scored lower on a final test without external support compared to the control group.