The author observes a growing tendency to offload thinking to AI, from trivial decisions to complex reasoning. This reliance is exemplified by Ken Liu's story "The Perfect Match," where an AI named Tilly manages a protagonist's life. A real-world anecdote describes an individual using a device to record conversations, with Claude Fable reportedly handling his thinking.

While search engines previously required user evaluation, AI now synthesizes answers directly, accelerating tasks that once took humans significant time. This convenience, however, raises concerns about losing autonomy. The author contrasts this with personal experiences, like a walk without a phone where natural questions arise and are potentially forgotten, suggesting value in unhurried thought.

A trip to Portugal prompted a discussion about colonialism, where the author and sister engaged in critical thinking and hypothesis generation before consulting ChatGPT. They found AI corroborated some theories and offered new ones, highlighting a method of using AI to test and extend human thought rather than replace it. The author acknowledges AI's benefits in professional settings, such as translation and research, and in personal learning, like preparing for the MCAT.