The Augmented Self: AI Scaffolds, Offloading, and the Drift Toward Dependency

The Augmented Self argues that everyday AI assistants are becoming cognitive scaffolds, shaping not just final wording but early-stage interpretation, framing, and next-step selection. As this “intermediate cognition layer” becomes routine, users may shift from originator mode to editor mode—selecting and revising suggested options rather than generating first frames. The essay separates offloading (what is delegated) from mediation (how suggestions steer attention and perceived completeness), and warns that fluent output can reduce reframing and verification, producing gradual drift. Dependency becomes clearest under interruption, so the essay proposes removability and workflow resilience as practical guides to appropriate reliance.