The Mind's Silent Surrender..
It's a complicated question that warrants scrutiny. The increased reliance on artificial intelligence could indeed lead to a kind of backslide of a number of the capabilities of human beings, but it's not that simple.
On the negative end of potential risk, we are able to identify a couple of disturbing trends. Firstly, over-reliance on social media algorithms to make recommendations is capable of producing so-called "filter bubble" when one is presented with nothing but that which confirms one's already held views, so that one's critical attitude and receptivity to another point of view are eroded.
Second, reliance on AI for simple mental work—such as calculations or looking things up—is a form of mental atrophy, like a muscle losing power through inactivity. It has been referred to as the "Google effect" or "digital amnesia" because the person becomes less able to recall things because they know that they are able to look it up electronically.
Third, AI applications used in communications–such as auto-responses or recommended messages–undercut the sincerity of human communication and degrade the value of personal expression and empathy.
Yet, AI could also prove to be a freeing power if used intelligently. It could liberate mental energy from routine taskwork and focus it on deeper creative and critical thinking. AI could create vistas of new knowledge and new tools of learning and discovery.
The solution is balance and awareness. We must develop that which could best be termed "digital intelligence"—the ability to turn technology into a means of empowerment and not a crutch of total dependency. It entails teaching critical thinking, fostering face-to-face discussion, and ensuring technology-free spaces of reflection and real human engagement.
Finally, artificial intelligence is a tool whereby our abilities can either be enhanced or weakened. It is only a matter of how and in what manner we decide to use it and how aware we are of its effect on our individual development and that of our society.