AI Chatbot Use and the Erosion of Human Skills: Developer Incentives and the Case for Industry Regulation

During the course of a lifetime, human beings develop several important skills that help to form a stable sense of self, and contribute meaningfully to the lives of others. Solitary self-reflection, problem solving, and the capacity for self-motivation and agency all support continued expansion and growth. Interpersonal conflict and resolution, and the maintenance and reinforcement of personal rules, values, and beliefs, offer a sense of internal balance and stability. These capacities develop through use and weaken through neglect, and advanced artificial intelligence has now begun to affect a person’s ability to engage with and develop these crucial skills. This paper identifies mechanisms through which engagement with artificial systems may reduce independent reasoning, shorten periods of reflective solitude, and alter expectations of human relationships. It also examines the role of developers, researchers, and investors, and considers the case for a regulatory body operating independently of commercial incentive, supported by ongoing empirical study and observation.