# Thinking & Knowledge The readings in this theme explore how AI affects the ways we search, interpret, write and make decisions. They examine the relationship between assistance and understanding, with particular attention to research quality, critical judgement and the reflective habits that keep people responsible for their work. ### [[Evaluation of large language models within GenAI in qualitative research]] A comparison of GPT-4o and human thematic analysis identifies weaknesses in quotations, context and interpretation, showing why AI-assisted qualitative research still needs experienced human oversight. ### [[The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking_Self-Reported Reductions in Cognitive Effort and Confidence Effects From a Survey of Knowledge Workers]] A survey of knowledge workers links greater confidence in AI with lower self-reported critical thinking effort and shows how AI shifts work towards verification, integration and oversight. ### [[Your Brain on ChatGPT_Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task]] A small study compares essay writing with an LLM, a search engine and no tools, reporting differences in brain activity, recall and ownership and questions about cognitive offloading. ### [[How Generative and Agentic AI Shift Concern from Technical Debt to Cognitive Debt]] Margaret Storey argues that rapid AI-assisted development can leave teams without a shared understanding of their work, and proposes reflection, documentation and review practices to address this ‘cognitive debt’. ### [[How AI can help in User Research]] A designer’s account of using NotebookLM to organise and explore interviews offers a practical example of AI supporting research synthesis. ## Further Reading: [[Further Reading - Thinking & Knowledge]]