CST4 - Cognitive Load Spillover

We now explore Cognitive Load Spillover (CLS), a phenomenon where the volume and complexity of AI-generated information overwhelm human cognitive capacity, impairing the ability to effectively audit or scrutinize the AI's output. We explain how CLS can amplify various AI failure pathologies, such as hallucinations and logical errors, making them harder for humans to detect. We detail the significant human risks associated with CLS, including the erosion of critical thinking, ethical lapses, and a distorted understanding of AI's capabilities, which can undermine trust and accountability. Finally, we consider future scenarios where unmitigated CLS could lead to systemic failures and challenges in long-term AI alignment, emphasizing the need for designing AI systems with human cognitive limits in mind to foster a truly effective human-AI partnership.