Hi Reader! Daria’s here.

Some time ago — after a few months of actively using AI in my work — I noticed something curious. It’s actually what kicked off my whole interest in hybrid intelligence and how humans and AI can collaborate more meaningfully.

What I noticed was this: when I’m deep in a working session — especially with long-form content or a topic I’m less confident about — there’s this fast, back-and-forth exchange between me and the AI. I ask something, it responds, I react, it refines… and so on. And at some point, my brain just blanks out. I lose track of what I’m even trying to do. I’m no longer leading the process — I’m just absorbing whatever the AI hands me.

That’s when I started wondering: what exactly is going on in my brain when I use these tools?

And recently I came across an MIT research paper that helped me make sense of it.

What the Study Tells Us About Our Brains on AI

The study looked at how different tools impact cognitive engagement during writing. They divided participants into three groups:

LLM Group — used ChatGPT to write essays.
Search Group — used a search engine like Google.
Brain-only Group — used no external tools.

They all wrote essays across three sessions. But in Session 4, the researchers flipped things:

The LLM Group was told to write without any tools. This tested how their brains performed after previously relying on AI.
The Brain-only Group was given ChatGPT for the first time. This tested how people who had previously worked independently adapted to using AI.

And here’s what they found:

The LLM Group, now without AI, showed the lowest brain activity and struggled with recall. Their prior use of AI seemed to reduce their mental engagement — their brains had become underactive when asked to think on their own.
The Brain-only Group, now using ChatGPT, still demonstrated strong brain activity — especially in areas related to memory and strategy. They engaged with the tool thoughtfully, using it to support rather than replace their thinking.

So it’s not just the tool you use — it’s when and how you use it.

Why Cadence Matters

If you start by thinking independently — generating your own ideas first — and then bring AI in to help refine or expand, you stay engaged. Your brain stays active. You remain the lead.

But if you begin with AI and then try to fix or customize what it gives you, it often leads to disconnection. Your mind steps aside too early, and it’s hard to get it back in the game.

That cadence — input first, then AI — turns out to be crucial.

My Strategy: How I Work with AI

This study reinforced what I’ve already built into my own process. Whether I’m working on a client session, a piece of writing, or a new idea — I always start with my own input.

Here’s how I work:

I capture what I know. After a coaching session, I jot down everything I remember — insights, reactions, quotes, key themes.
I organize it manually. I create the structure or narrative flow myself.
Then I bring in AI. I upload my notes and ask ChatGPT to help tighten the structure, identify anything I might have missed, or surface useful language.

This way, I stay mentally connected to the work. The insights I share with clients are meaningful — not just accurate, but thoughtfully synthesized. And more importantly, it keeps my own brain in the loop. I’m thinking, not just processing.

A Better Way to Work With AI

If you want to use AI without losing your brain in the process, try this:

Start with your own thoughts. Even if they’re messy, they’re yours.
Use AI to improve, not initiate. Structure, clarity, or suggestions — not the whole draft.
Stay curious. Ask why the AI suggested something. Reflect on it.
Take notes before you forget. Memory matters more than we realize.

This isn’t just about writing. It’s about reclaiming cognitive ownership — of your ideas, your work, and your process.

I’m continuing to explore how this works at the team level — how AI changes not just individual workflows but collective thinking and collaboration. And I’d love to hear from you. What’s your approach to using AI in your work? What’s helping you stay engaged and sharp?

Just hit reply and share. You might just inspire the next edition of this newsletter.

P.S. Curious how AI is reshaping learning, leadership, and team development? I break it down in my Forbes Coaches Council article.