Episode 1

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Published on:

13th Nov 2025

What is AI Doing to Our Brains? with Dr. Sahar Yousef

Are we going to lose our minds to artificial intelligence? Cognitive offloading is the biggest bogeyman in AI right now. And with good reason - it took us 10 years to realize what social media had done to our brains, and by then it was too late.

New studies from MIT say ChatGPT power users have decreased brainwave activity – and are showing signs of dependence. So can we use AI without giving up our cognitive skills? How do we “borrow 30 points of IQ” from AI without losing our minds completely?

Greg speaks with Dr. Sahar Yousef, cognitive neuroscientist and lecturer at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and one of the world’s leading experts on cognitive training and the science of productivity. Sahar shares what we can learn from the research, what's she's seeing in the lab, and how she's handling AI with her students. How can we use AI for our benefit, and what's on the line?

Episode links:

Dr. Sahar Yousef's website

MIT/OpenAI study on ChatGPT power users

TechPolicy report on AI addiction

Researchers propose Gen AI Addiction Syndrome

Show artwork for AI Truth Serum

About the Podcast

AI Truth Serum
AI without the BS
Artificial intelligence is changing the world, but it’s also being sold to us. Want to cut through the noise? You’ve come to the right place. Join veteran tech CEO Greg Shove as he explores AI through no-BS conversations with leading experts. You’ll get practical information about AI’s impact, actionable insights, and honest punchy commentary from the people building the future.

Greg Shove is CEO of SectionAI, an upskilling and education consultancy that helps enterprise organizations incorporate AI in their workforces. As a seven-time CEO working in tech since before the Y2K scare, Greg Shove has seen it all - or most of it anyway. From early days at AOL to founding seven new tech companies, Greg knows how to bypass the hype and gain practical knowledge. For more information, head to www.gregshove.com.

AI Truth Serum is on YouTube, too: https://youtube.com/@AITruthSerum