Emily Chantiri
Are you worried about losing cognitive skills because of the widespread take-up of AI tools?
If so, youโre not alone. Many of us fear AI weakens independent thought, creativity and learning, especially among young people who may rely on it to think for them.
Research from an October 2025, Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey reveals 65 per cent of Australians are increasingly concerned about artificial intelligence, up 8 per cent since 2023.
The survey of 2568 respondents found 20 per cent fear the loss of critical thinking and creativity.
Originality, uniqueness and creativity
These concerns are particularly heightened among young people.
Isabella Halusek, 21, juggles three casual jobs to get her through her film study degree at Sydney University.
While applying for full-time work, Halusek is concerned about the amount of AI content she is expected to use in roles of editing, content-based writing and media.
She finds the application process discouraging, particularly where the job states that AI use is expected or a requirement to assist in the position.
โAs students weโve learned skills to prepare us for these positions. Yet, I feel like I am compromising them and losing them over to AI, when I can do it myself.โ
As for the future, her fear is she will lose her originality, uniqueness and creativity which she says, makes writing and creative work stand out.
โI feel a lot of things will become one and the same when itโs done by AI. Itโs just recycling old ideas and thereโs no room for people to come in with fresh thoughts.โ
She adds that AI is making everything boring.
โNothing is new any more, thatโs worrying. All my life Iโve had this vision about my career, and what I wanted to do, that vision isnโt what it once was and itโs discouraging.โ
Passive use weakens creativity
AI marketing strategist, Deb Szabo uses AI daily but does not hand over the critical thinking she is responsible for.
Her concern is not that AI automatically takes away writing, planning or idea skills. It is that passive use can weaken these if someone accepts the first answer without questioning it.
If an employee refuses to use AI, dismissing them is not automatically lawful.
โI start with my own objective, experience and judgement, then use AI to challenge assumptions, organise information, identify gaps and speed up execution. That way I remain responsible for the decision and the final voice.โ
AI can increase capacity and improve thinking. โIt should never replace curiosity, context or critical judgement.โ
She offers the following tips to employers who expect employees to use AI.
- Ask staff where the bottlenecks are. What repetitive tasks take them away from the skills they value and the work they do best?
- Use the personal assistant test. If they had an assistant, what tasks would they hand over? Those administrative and repetitive tasks are often the best place to introduce AI.
- Protect the human craft. Be clear that the employee remains responsible for the objective, ideas, creative judgement and final approval. AI is there to help their expertise, not replace it.
โFor example, an interior designerโs goal isnโt to surrender their artistic flair to AI. It is to reduce the quoting, proposals and admin work so they have more time to design beautiful spaces,โ she adds.
Legal rights
Joel Hayden, practice group leader at Legal Vision said employers can generally require staff to use AI tools if the direction is lawful, reasonable and connected to the job.
โThat does not give employers a free hand. The direction should fit the role, be supported by training, and deal with risks such as confidentiality, copyright, accuracy and client disclosure,โ said Hayden.
If an employee refuses to use AI, dismissing them is not automatically lawful.
โThe employer would need to show the requirement was reasonable, the employee was clearly told what was expected, and any concerns were properly considered.โ
The Fair Work Commission recognises that failing to follow a lawful and reasonable direction can be a valid reason for dismissal, but the process still matters.
โA dismissal can still be harsh, unjust or unreasonable if the employer acts too quickly or ignores legitimate concerns.โ
For creative workers, the issue is often not whether AI can be used, but how much human judgement remains in the work. A well-drafted AI policy should say when AI is optional, when it is required, what work must remain human-led, and how outputs are checked before publication.
Emily Chantiri is a Sydney journalist, bestselling author and regular contributor to Business, Money and Career sections.
- Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readersโ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.
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