I agree that AI should be used more as a "partner, not a crutch." I have used AI to help me understand instructions for assignments or material for upcoming exams, which has helped me to think things through and learn more effectively. Learning how to utilize AI more as a tool has made a significant difference in my learning, especially since having ADHD can make it hard for me to focus and process challenging material.

This is the first time I've heard of this theory, and It makes sense that learning requires a certain level of effort for information to be processed deeply and retained. If something is too easy, such as having AI write an essay for you, your brain may not engage as much, which can limit learning. However, I think this depends on how the tool is used. For example, if AI is used as a tool to support studying, such as explaining concepts or organizing ideas, it can still involve active thinking, help in understanding and retaining information. In contrast letting it write a paper requires no thinking skills and requires less active thinking.

I'm not surprised by this research, but it made me think more because I've done the same thing. If my mom sends me a Facebook article that's more than a few paragraphs, I will choose to skim it to save time. I used to think I did this because I was busy, but this suggests that my brain has gotten used to a convenient quick read then a deeper one. It shows people prefer to get things done quickly rather than spending the time to fully read and understand them.