Dropbox is investigating cognitive training tools, including memory exercises and attention-span drills, to help workers maintain mental clarity as they integrate AI into their daily tasks. The company's chief people officer said the initiative stems from concern that outsourcing work to AI could lead to cognitive decline, and that the company wants to understand AI's effects on users. The effort includes experimental offline retreats where executives practice breathwork and disconnect from devices.
The term "brain rot" has gained currency to describe cognitive decline linked to AI and social media use, though evidence on whether brain-training exercises improve general intelligence remains mixed. Some research, including a National Institutes of Health-funded study, has shown that targeted cognitive training can produce lasting gains in specific skills like reasoning and processing speed. Dropbox is not alone: commercial real estate firms JLL and Fischer have launched similar brain-health programs for workers.
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