Fast Company
Follow
How Dropbox plans to prevent AI brain rot in its workers
Dropbox is exploring cognitive training to counteract potential brainpower loss as AI adoption increases among its workers. The company's chief people officer, Melanie Rosenwasser, emphasized a responsibility to understand AI's impact on human cognition. Dropbox is considering tools like memory and attention-span exercises, alongside "analog" offsites for executives that involve breathwork and device disconnection. This initiative addresses the concept of "brain rot," a cognitive decline linked to AI and social media use. While general intelligence improvement from brain training is debated, some research indicates lasting benefits for specific mental skills. A National Institutes of Health study, for instance, showed long-term gains in reasoning and processing speed for older adults. Dropbox acknowledges this as an emerging field requiring further learning and a curious, humble approach. Other companies have already implemented similar programs, such as JLL's "brain gym" in Singapore, which reported improved focus among participating workers. Similarly, Fischer partnered with the University of Texas at Dallas, observing measurable progress in cognitive capacity and well-being among its employees. These early examples suggest a growing corporate interest in maintaining employee cognitive health in an AI-driven world.