Are We (Homo Sapiens) Evolving or Devolving? Brain Size Matters - Use it or Lose it - The Impact of AI on Human Intelligence & Creativity

Introduction: Evolution Made Us Thinkers

For millions of years, human evolution has been shaped by our ability to think, adapt, and create. From early stone tools to the invention of writing, problem-solving and creativity have been our defining traits. However, as we enter the age of Generative AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a fundamental question arises: Are we still evolving as thinkers, or are we outsourcing our intelligence to machines?

The AI Shift: Machines Think, Humans Watch

Artificial Intelligence has made remarkable strides, automating tasks that once required deep human cognition—writing, composing music, generating art, and even coding. While AI's capabilities continue to grow, human engagement in problem-solving appears to be diminishing. The reality is unsettling: Machines are learning, and humans are watching.

As AI takes over more cognitive tasks, humans risk becoming passive consumers rather than active creators. Instead of developing new ideas, people increasingly rely on AI-generated content, whether it’s text, music, or business decisions. If AI continues to think for us, where does that leave human intelligence?

A Timeline of Human Evolution: Top 5 Human Species

Understanding our evolutionary history helps us assess where AI might lead us. Here’s a timeline of the five major human species and their key characteristics:

Australopithecus (4 - 2 million years ago)

• First bipedal human ancestor.
• Small brain (~400-500 cm³) but capable of tool use.
• Lived in Africa, primarily scavengers and foragers.

Homo habilis (2.4 - 1.4 million years ago)

• Known as “Handy Man” for making basic stone tools.
• Larger brain (~600-750 cm³) and improved problem-solving skills.
• First clear evidence of increased intelligence.

Homo erectus (1.9 million - 110,000 years ago)

• First human ancestor to control fire and migrate out of Africa.
• Larger brain (~850-1100 cm³) and advanced tool-making skills.
• Likely had some form of rudimentary communication.

Homo neanderthalensis (400,000 - 40,000 years ago)

• Stocky, cold-adapted humans with strong social structures.
• Brain size (~1200-1750 cm³) comparable to or larger than modern humans.
• Skilled hunters, crafted clothing, and possibly had symbolic thought.

Homo sapiens (300,000 years ago - Present)

• Largest brain-to-body ratio (~1300-1400 cm³).
• Developed agriculture, civilization, science, and technology.
• Capable of abstract thinking, art, language, and now AI development.

Why Did Brain Size Increase?

The increase in brain size throughout human evolution is attributed to several key factors:

• Dietary Changes: The shift to high-protein diets, including meat consumption, provided essential nutrients for brain growth.
• Tool Use: Creating and using tools required problem-solving and hand-eye coordination, stimulating cognitive development.
• Social Complexity: Living in larger groups demanded advanced communication, cooperation, and memory skills.
• Control of Fire: Cooking food made digestion more efficient, allowing more energy to be redirected toward brain development.
• Language Development: The emergence of language facilitated knowledge transfer, accelerating intellectual growth.

The Most Significant Inventions in Human History

Throughout history, human intelligence has been demonstrated through groundbreaking inventions. Some of the most impactful include:

1. Fire (~1.5 million years ago) - Enabled cooking, protection, and socialization.
2. Stone Tools (~2.6 million years ago) - Allowed early humans to hunt and process food efficiently.
3. The Wheel (~3500 BCE) - Revolutionized transportation and trade.
4. Writing (~3200 BCE) - Enabled record-keeping, communication, and knowledge transfer.
5. Printing Press (1440 CE) - Democratized knowledge and accelerated scientific progress.
6. Electricity (19th century CE) - Powered industrial and technological revolutions.
7. Internet (20th century CE) - Transformed global communication and information access.
8. Artificial Intelligence (21st century CE) - Automating cognitive functions, shaping the future of human intelligence.

The Evolutionary Impact: Homo Technologicus or Homo AI-dependentus?

If we analyze evolution, brain size has played a crucial role in human advancement. However, history also tells us that when species no longer need a specific ability, they tend to lose it over time. The domestication of animals provides a compelling analogy—dogs, compared to their wolf ancestors, have smaller brains because they rely on humans for survival. Could humans, in turn, experience cognitive shrinkage due to AI dependence?

There are two potential paths:

• Scenario 1: Cognitive Decline
• Scenario 2: AI-Augmented Humans

The Fork in the Road: Dependence vs. Augmentation

The path we take depends on how we interact with AI. If we continue down the road of full dependence—where AI generates, decides, and solves while humans passively consume—we may gradually lose the very cognitive abilities that made us human.

On the other hand, if we use AI as a tool rather than a crutch, we could enhance human intelligence rather than diminish it. AI should not replace human thought; it should challenge and extend it. The difference between dependence and augmentation will determine whether we evolve into smarter beings or devolve into AI-dependent spectators.

As we become more reliant on AI, a phenomenon known as "use it or lose it" might come into play when it comes to cognitive abilities and creativity. Just as physical muscles weaken without exercise, the brain's abilities may deteriorate if not regularly challenged. For example, in the past, humans used to navigate vast, unfamiliar terrains without maps or GPS, relying heavily on spatial reasoning and memory. Today, with the rise of smartphones and AI-powered navigation, we’ve become less reliant on our internal sense of direction. While this technology offers convenience, it may diminish our brain’s ability to navigate independently over time, a clear case of "use it or lose it."

Conclusion: The Future is in Our Hands

Human intelligence has always thrived on challenge and creativity. If we allow AI to take over these functions, we risk devolution—not in a dystopian science-fiction sense, but in a real, measurable decline in cognitive abilities over generations. However, if we choose to integrate AI wisely, we may see a new kind of evolution—one where humans are empowered, not replaced.

AI is here to stay. The question is: Will we use it to evolve, or let it make us obsolete? The choice is ours.

NOTE - I'm a big fan of responsible AI, at the same time, I'm an Evolution Enthusiast too! I'm a Christian, and I believe in the Holy Bible, God and the Creation. I CAN co-relate all these too!