The sweat metric. (Or how to not ruin your learning process by using AI)
People use AI to make their lives easier, but how does it really help us? Yannick Willems from Learning Bites uses ChatGPT to become smarter. By using AI not merely as a shortcut but as a tool to challenge oneself in new ways (desirable difficulty), you can train your brain more effectively. Learn harder, become smarter!
Brain: power-saving mode ON
I’ve never been able to memorise my gas card PIN. The reason is simple: it’s tucked away in my wallet, marked with a post-it, and I only need it once a month. Not very secure, I know, but the reason I keep forgetting it touches on a fundamental principle that also impacts how you use AI. Welcome to what I call the ‘sweat metric’!
That PIN doesn’t stick because it requires too little effort. All my brain needs to remember is where to find it. Minimal strain. This phenomenon is also known as the ‘Google effect’: our brains rely on looking things up later, reducing the effort needed to store information. It’s a remarkably efficient strategy to save energy since our brains process thousands of stimuli daily!
Time to make that brain sweat
It’s a classic concept, but in learning, there is something known as ‘desirable difficulties’ (R. Bjork): challenges that make your learning process harder but lead to better long-term results.
A good example is that I hadn’t learnt how to drive to my parents’ house until my phone’s battery died, forcing me to figure out how to get there. The opposite of the post-it scenario!
Think of it as training a muscle: each time you recall, forget, and relearn something, you activate and strengthen the same neural network.
AI: from shortcuts to smart challenges
The problem with irresponsible AI use is that it removes these ‘desirable difficulties’, though AI tools are uniquely suited to create them. And yes, even prompts like ‘summarise this 13-page PDF in five sentences’ fit in.
That’s how I make AI my personal learning coach.
Creative writing
Patrick, my AI copywriting wingman, challenges me to think first and offers subtle tips to improve my writing. Seldomly does it rewrite my text. (Big love, Patrick <3)
Active learning
- I still make handwritten summaries of research papers in Goodnotes – a real ‘desirable difficulty’ in this age of automated summaries!
- After each reading session, Goodnotes quizzes me on the content. Flashcards and rapid-fire questions galore!
Critical thinking
I use AI as a pseudo-critical expert to critique my ideas. Sure, we brainstorm afterwards, but I start and lead the process.
Quick wins
- Automate all you want, stick to automating repetitive tasks. Use the freed-up time to make your brain sweat more.
- Find ways to implement additional challenges in complex tasks from which you can learn.
- Be creative and switch things up. The same ‘Professor-GPT’ quizzing you every night gets old quickly. Experiment with flashcards, quizzes with fictional opponents, or let GPT host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session as your favourite author. The sky’s the limit with these tools!
If you’re cursing at your AI tool for making things harder: congratulations, you’ve reached desirable difficulty heaven. Go ahead, give yourself this sticker: "I just made myself smarter by making it harder for myself!"
Discover more
- Kosmyna, N., Hauptmann, E., Yuan, Y.T., Situ, J., Liao, X., Beresnitzky, A.V., Braunstein, I., & Maes, P. (2025). Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task.
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Yannick Willems
From web development student and tech geek to Learning & Development – not the most obvious career switch, right? But this combination makes it all the more interesting! With a technical background, I bring a unique perspective to L&D, often leading to valuable insights.
As a facilitator, trainer, and presenter, I love transforming complex concepts into accessible, hands-on learning experiences. Because yes, learning can (and should!) be fun. My goal? To create learning journeys that not only work but genuinely benefit people.
Expertise: AI, Learning & Development, Digital Learning
Related courses
Machine learning and deep learning fundamentals
Workshop - Leuven - VIB, Training geselecteerd in de Belgische AI Factory Antenna (AIFA)
