In the age of AI, is human critical thinking facing a crisis? Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable tool in our daily lives and work. Across various fields such as document creation, data analysis, and customer service, AI maximizes productivity and alleviates human burden. However, behind this technological innovation lies a shadow that is easy to overlook: the issue of 'self-belief.' Recently, major international media outlets have highlighted research that deeply analyzed the impact of AI on human thought and confidence, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 employees. According to this study, individuals who heavily rely on AI, especially those who accept AI-generated answers with little to no modification, strongly tended to feel that AI tools 'think on their behalf.' They reported a weakened sense of ownership over their ideas and an increased likelihood of losing trust in their own reasoning abilities. In contrast, participants who actively interacted with AI by modifying, questioning, or sometimes rejecting its suggestions showed entirely different results. These individuals, on the contrary, reported increased confidence and a strong sense of ownership, feeling that the final output was truly their own. These findings suggest that AI has an impact beyond being a mere tool, and rather than inherently diminishing human capabilities, it can lead to either cognitive degradation or evolution depending on how we interact with the technology. Particularly, as AI takes on significant portions of work, the necessity to redefine human roles and responsibilities is emerging. A considerable number of employees participating in the study showed a tendency to passively accept AI's answers, reporting that they felt they were 'simply following AI's instructions.' In this context, we must ask: Is AI truly a partner that enhances our productivity? Or is it a powerful competitor that erodes our critical thinking? The most intriguing aspect of this study is that human confidence and cognitive abilities follow entirely different trajectories depending on the mode of interaction with AI. For instance, senior employees tended to critically review and reinterpret AI-provided information or answers, often redefining AI outputs. They frequently made their own original decisions, resulting in higher levels of confidence. Instead of readily accepting AI's capabilities, they used them as a tool to expand their own competencies. This clearly demonstrates that beyond mere age or experience, differences in attitude and mindset towards AI significantly impact outcomes. The AI Utilization Gap and Its Impact on Confidence Now, these issues present significant implications for Korean employees as well. In South Korea's rapidly adopting AI work environment, the division of roles between AI and humans often remains unclear. While many companies pursue efficiency through AI, there is often a lack of investment in developing the capabilities of their members to actively utilize it, or insufficient educational opportunities. This raises concerns that it could lead to a culture of dependence on AI rather than its proper utilization. A digital transformation manager at a major domestic corporation recently emphasized at a meeting, "Employees tend to use AI tools merely as machines for finding answers," and "We must foster a culture where AI's suggestions are not uncritically accepted, but rather used as a starting point to seek better solutions." This observation aligns precisely with the concerns raised by international research. Of course, the positive aspects of AI adoption cannot be overlooked. AI has significantly reduced the time spent on calculations and data processing, creating an environment where humans can dedicate themselves to more creative and strategic tasks. There is also clear data-driven insight that AI, when used as a collaborative system, can enhance human productivity and capabilities. However, the issue is that the way we collaborate with AI is transforming not just our technical adaptation, but also our cognitive habits and work attitudes. This is more than just a matter of using advanced technology. It represents a significant challenge regarding whether we will lead the collaboration with AI, or if AI will replace our thinking. The research findings, indicating that blind acceptance can hinder self-efficacy and critical thinking, demand a fundamental reflection on the direction of technology utilization. AI Collaboration: A Tool or Dependence? In response, some argue that 'it is also problematic to pursue excessive caution without actively adopting AI.' They contend that rejecting technological progress or delaying adoption due to high technical barriers can weaken a company's competitiveness. However, it is crucial not to overlook that the core of technology utilization lies in direction, not speed. International higher education media outlets convey the common expert opinion that 'we must change ou
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