Artificial intelligence is often framed as a dark force that’s reshaping every detail of our lives. Most of the attention tends to focus on jobs and economic change, but there’s another question that deserves just as much scrutiny: what is AI doing to our minds? It’s tempting to fall back on sweeping claims that AI is bad for cognition. The reality is more nuanced. Used thoughtfully, AI can support learning and creativity. Used carelessly, it can encourage shortcuts that weaken critical thinking. The difference lies not in the technology itself, but in how intentionally we design and use it. The answer, then, isn’t to reject AI, but to integrate it with care. AI systems should be designed to support human cognition while preserving challenge and choice.