The brain side of human-AI interactions in the long-term: the “3R principle”
Neuroplasticity is shaped by how humans interact with AI. We argue that passive, uncritical, reliance on AI may weaken activity-dependent brain plasticity and erode cognition, whereas active co-creation can sustain or enhance it. Drawing on plasticity rules and ethical considerations, we propose the 3R principle—Results, Responses, Responsibility—as a preventive framework for cognitive hygiene, urging education towards AI use to preserve agency, meaning-making, and long-term brain health.
Authors
- Valter Fraccaro
- Riccardo Manzotti
- Simone Rossi
Institutions
- University of Siena (IT)
- IULM University (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Artificial Intelligence
- Published
- 2026-01-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44387-025-00063-1
- Primary Topic
- Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00