Impact of Technology on Brain Functioning
In a recent episode of the podcast "So techt Deutschland" on ntv, neuroscientist Henning Beck discussed the significant impact of social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on young people's daily lives and thinking.
Beck, who is also the author of "Think Better", focused on how technology shapes the brain and behaviour, particularly the concept of "digital endless loops". These loops refer to repetitive, habit-forming interactions with platforms like TikTok, where nearly half of young people under 30 wish they had never used such apps.
According to Beck, these endless loops create continuous cycles of low-attention engagement that can impair deeper thinking and contribute to distraction and cognitive overload. He stressed that social media and AI-driven technologies tend to exploit brain mechanisms for instant gratification, making users—especially young people—more susceptible to addictive patterns.
Beck's perspective suggests the importance of understanding these effects to foster healthier interaction paradigms with technology and improve cognitive habits. He emphasized the need for stricter rules, especially in schools, to combat the negative effects of digital endless loops.
The full conversation between Henning Beck, Frauke Holzmeier, and Andreas Laukat can be found in the podcast "So techt Deutschland". If listeners have questions for the moderators, they can email [email protected].
The podcast "So techt Deutschland" discusses topics related to Artificial Intelligence and digitalization. It can be accessed through the ntv app, RTL, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the RSS feed. For more information about the podcast's Privacy Policy, visit ntv.de.
Beck also questioned whether technology, including language models like ChatGPT, is causing us to lose ourselves online. He stated that generative AI, such as ChatGPT, behaves unreliably, with chatbots providing different answers to the same question. The creators of such models are unable to explain why chatbots answer questions differently each time.
Approximately 93% of 12- to 19-year-olds in Germany use social media daily, according to a 2024 Forsa survey. Henning Beck expressed concerns that digital endless loops may be causing many young Americans to seek an escape. He suggested that leisure time is changing fundamentally due to digital endless loops, with no clear end to online content consumption.
[1] Forsa survey, 2024 [2] US study cited by Henning Beck [5] "Think Better", Henning Beck's book
- It's crucial for community policies and employment policies to address the impact of technology, specifically social media and AI, on young people's lifestyles, as discussed in the podcast "So techt Deutschland."
- The discussion on "So techt Deutschland" also highlighted concerns about the reliability and potential addictive nature of AI-driven technologies like ChatGPT, which could influence people's behavior and cognitive abilities, including their leisure activities and thinking patterns.
