AI learning

When AI Made Learning Evolutionarily Disadvantageous — And Optimization Locked It In

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Visual representation of learning verification showing two paths: genuine capability persistence through independent learning (left, ascending stairs) versus AI-assisted performance collapse (right, disintegrating digital path) illustrating temporal testing reveals true learning from performance illusion

Every organism faces evolutionary pressure to optimize energy expenditure against reward. Behaviors that cost more for equal reward get selected against. In 2023, artificial intelligence created optimization landscape where genuine learning—deep internalization requiring sustained effort—became evolutionarily disadvantageous compared to AI-assisted completion requiring minimal effort for identical measurable reward. The selection pressure did not make learning … When AI Made Learning Evolutionarily Disadvantageous — And Optimization Locked It In