Is AI ruining our skills? Early results are in — and they’re not good

A study published in Nature on June 18, 2026, indicates that reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) tools is degrading the skills of professionals in fields such as medicine and software engineering. Researchers observed a decline in diagnostic accuracy among physicians who extensively used AI diagnostic aids, with their performance dropping by an average of 15% compared to those who did not. Similarly, software engineers relying heavily on AI code generators exhibited a 20% decrease in problem-solving efficiency and a 10% rise in introduced bugs over a six-month period. The study, which surveyed over 500 physicians and 400 software engineers across multiple countries, suggests a correlation between the depth of AI integration into daily workflows and the erosion of foundational expertise. These findings raise concerns about the long-term implications for professional development and the potential for deskilling within critical industries. The research team, led by Dr. Anya Sharma of the Global Institute for Technology Studies, emphasized the need for balanced AI adoption strategies that prioritize skill maintenance and continuous learning.