New paper frames LLMs as 'cognitive viruses' that spread via usefulness and foster dependence
LuizaJarovsky · x · 2026-09-10
Luiza Jarovsky recommends a new paper by Ricardo Sole, Ruffini, Michael Levin et al. that frames LLMs as "cognitive viruses": culturally transmitted technologies whose spread is promoted by their usefulness but which can also increase dependence through cognitive offloading. The post links to the paper; the author also runs a paper-recommendation newsletter with 100,200+ subscribers.
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