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May 24, 2026
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I Avoid AI Tools Because Thinking Is Supposed to Be Hard – Wendy Liu’s Call for Cognitive Sovereignty

AI Summary
Writer Wendy Liu argues that relying on AI for coding and writing erodes the hard work of thinking, which she sees as essential to humanity. She warns that widespread AI adoption risks cognitive off‑loading, corporate control, and a loss of personal agency.

The Lead: A Personal Manifesto Against AI Convenience

Wendy Liu explains why she deliberately avoids generative‑AI tools, insisting that the struggle of thinking is what makes us human. In an era where large language models can produce code and prose in seconds, Liu contends that the convenience comes at the cost of cognitive sovereignty.

The Early Coding Journey: Learning by Hand in the Mid‑2000s

Growing up with unmonitored access to a family computer, Liu taught herself to build websites using only a basic text editor. The process involved countless hours of debugging and poring over documentation, which she describes as “painstaking” but ultimately rewarding.

  • Mid‑2000s: Self‑taught web development using a simple editor.
  • Result: Deep appreciation for the craft of coding despite imperfect outcomes.

The Rise of AI‑Assisted Development: From “Vibe‑Coding” to Mass Redundancies

Today, tools like OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude Code enable anyone to generate functional code through natural‑language prompts. Liu notes that this “vibe‑coding” trend has led many tech firms to justify large‑scale layoffs, using AI as a pretext for workforce reductions.

The Cognitive Off‑Loading Concern: Protecting Our Thinking Muscles

Liu warns against “cognitive off‑loading,” the habit of delegating mental tasks to AI for convenience. She cites emerging research suggesting that even brief interactions with AI chatbots can negatively affect problem‑solving abilities.

The Societal Implications: From Corporate Greed to Environmental Toll

The article links AI’s rapid expansion to broader issues:

  • Trillions of dollars projected for data‑centre construction.
  • Corporate revenues used to fund mass redundancies while pushing AI adoption.
  • Environmental concerns tied to the energy consumption of massive AI models.
  • Potential widening of socioeconomic inequality as AI becomes a “utility” controlled by a few corporations.

The Path Forward: Embracing Inefficiency as a Moral Choice

Choosing to work without AI, Liu argues, is a deliberate act of preserving humanity and building character. She acknowledges the personal trade‑offs—being a less efficient coder and writer—but frames the inconvenience as a safeguard against corporate‑driven efficiency that threatens individual agency.