A quiet tool for the loudest era of human history

Think before
AI thinks for you.

A quiet nudge inside ChatGPT and Claude that protects your critical thinking from AI dependance

extension Add to Chrome and Start Thinking

Ten Studies · 2024–2026

Since 2024, 10+ studies have associated AI usage with cognitive decline

Researchers found that AI isn't harmful on its own, but the moment you use it changes everything. Reach for it before forming your own view, and your brain never does the hard part at all.

Over time, skipping that effort quietly erodes the ability to think independently, what researchers call cognitive decline.

What the research actually says

“

Students do not perceive any reduction in their learning… suggesting they are not aware of how generative AI can impede their learning.

— Bastani et al., 2025 · PNAS, high-school math RCT

Although the AI group's essay scores improved significantly, their knowledge transfer performance was no different from other groups.

— Fan et al., 2024 · Br. J. Educational Technology

Students using LLMs experienced significantly lower cognitive load… yet demonstrated lower-quality reasoning and argumentation.

— Stadler, Bannert & Sailer, 2024 · Computers in Human Behavior

Reliance on AI tools creates a feedback loop where increased cognitive offloading exacerbates the decline in critical thinking abilities.

— Gerlich, 2025 · Societies, 666 participants

Studies led by researchers from

The full body of evidence

Don't take our word for it. Read the research yourself.

Ten peer-reviewed studies, published 2024–2026, each one a click away.

Gerlich · 2025arrow_forward Zhi, Kumar & Lee · 2026arrow_forward Chirayath · 2026arrow_forward Bastani et al. · 2025arrow_forward Roy & Jony · 2026arrow_forward Favero et al. · 2026arrow_forward Zhai, Wibowo & Li · 2024arrow_forward Stadler, Bannert & Sailer · 2024arrow_forward Fan et al. · 2024arrow_forward Georgiou · 2025arrow_forward Kosmyna, Hauptmann, Yuan & Situ · 2025arrow_forward Microsoft Research · 2025arrow_forward

How Cogni Helps

It fits right into how you already use ChatGPT and Claude, no new habits, no extra tabs.

The Cogni reflection prompt appearing over ChatGPT, asking 'What do you think, and why?' before the AI answers.

01 — THE NUDGE

A pause, only when it matters

When you ask something worth thinking through — a decision, a tradeoff, a judgement call — Cogni steps in before the AI answers and asks what you think. Simple lookups pass straight through, untouched.

02 — REASONING SYNERGY

Send your thinking along with the question to give AI more context

Once you've written your take, Cogni offers to add it to your prompt — so the AI builds on your reasoning instead of replacing it. Prefer to send as-is? One tap does that too. Your call, every time.

Cogni's follow-up screen offering to add your written reasoning to your prompt, with 'Yes, add to prompt' and 'No, just send'.

03 — ANALYTICS

See how much you're thinking

Open Cogni any time for your day at a glance, reflections, skips and prompts, plus a dial to set how often it steps in.