The AI Hype and the Laziness Epidemic: Between Complacency and Responsibility
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining society, bringing previously unimaginable advances, but also fueling illusions about an effortless life. The current hype, widely promoted by companies and media, presents AI as a universal solution for everyday tasks, often justifying behaviors of accommodation and intellectual laziness. Recent studies indicate that indiscriminate use of AI, whether in educational, professional, or personal processes, can generate excessive dependence, reducing creativity and the impulse to think critically (Ahmad et al., 2023; Fan et al., 2024).
Cognitive Laziness as an Epidemic
The “cognitive laziness” caused by AI manifests itself, above all, in the tendency to outsource decisions and overcome creative effort. International research shows that 68.9% of respondents identify AI as the main cause of increased laziness in daily habits, leading to decreased autonomy and mental complacency (Ahmad et al., 2023).
For students and professionals, the ease of obtaining ready-made answers inhibits the development of intellectually demanding skills (Fan et al., 2024), while uncritical use favors “meta-laziness”: the subject stops questioning, investigating, or confronting ideas, becoming a prisoner of digital convenience.
The Brazilian Context
In Brazil, specialists warn that AI can intensify a laziness epidemic, harming the brain functioning of students and adults, fostering comfort and avoidance of real challenges in learning and work (Gazeta do Povo, 2025). In recent national articles, the importance of a critical approach is highlighted, so that the resource does not become a justification for inertia, but enhances creativity and overcoming complacency (Money Report, 2023; Campo Grande News, 2025).
Ethical and Christian Challenge
Christian ethics and philosophical tradition challenge this scenario: human beings are called to responsibility, to the development of their intelligence, and to facing their limits. Authentic faith rejects easy shortcuts and exhorts to the active living of intellectual and vocational dignity. Conscious use of AI requires discernment, intentionality, and the ability to resist the temptation of complacency.
References
Ahmad, S. F., et al. (2023). Impact of artificial intelligence on human loss in decision making, laziness, and privacy concerns. Nature Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, Article 1787. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-01787-8
Fan, Y., et al. (2024). Beware of metacognitive laziness: Effects of generative artificial intelligence on learning. British Journal of Educational Technology. https://ttim.phbern.ch/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Brit-J-Educational-Tech-2024-Fan-Beware-of-metacognitive-laziness-Effects-of-generative-artificial-intelligence-on.pdf
Gazeta do Povo. (2025, July 24). Poor use of AI by students causes “laziness epidemic”. https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/ideias/especialista-mau-uso-inteligencia-artificial-estudantes-epidemia-preguica/
Money Report. (2023, December 15). Artificial intelligence and the laziness of the intellect. https://www.moneyreport.com.br/agenda-lideres/a-inteligencia-artificial-e-a-preguica-do-intelecto/
Campo Grande News. (2025, July 11). Use of AI can generate cognitive laziness, experts point out. https://www.campograndenews.com.br/educacao-e-tecnologia/uso-de-ia-pode-gerar-preguica-cognitiva-apontam-especialistas
Text prepared by Sancler Miranda for the Frontiers of Faith blog.