A subtle revolution is unfolding — not in politics or technology alone, but inside our very thought processes. According to Forbes contributor Cornelia C. Walther, the release of ChatGPT-5 marks a tipping point toward agency decay — the gradual erosion of our capacity for independent decision-making and complex problem-solving.

Earlier AI models still required small moments of conscious choice. Users had to select between different versions, pausing to consider the complexity of a task before engaging a model. These micro-decisions preserved a degree of metacognitive awareness — the mental act of thinking about one’s own thinking. Now, ChatGPT-5 removes this step entirely, automatically deciding whether to use fast pattern matching or deep reasoning. The choice is invisible, and with it, so is the mental rehearsal that once kept cognitive muscles strong.

This isn’t just a matter of convenience — it’s a slow trade of skill for speed. As the AI handles more reasoning steps behind the scenes, professionals risk losing the ability to break down complex problems themselves. Walther warns that this creates a “competence illusion,” where users feel sharper while their actual abilities quietly weaken. For fields like law, marketing, or strategy, the shift from creation to mere evaluation can be deceptively dangerous.

Compounding the risk is OpenAI’s subscription model. High-cost Pro access grants unlimited AI use, while free-tier users face restrictions exactly when reliance peaks. This scarcity-and-relief cycle fosters dependency, much like a behavioral trap. The more seamless the AI experience becomes, the harder it is to justify doing the cognitive heavy lifting without it.

The way forward, Walther argues, is deliberate resistance. She proposes a four-step framework — Awareness, Appreciation, Acceptance, and Accountability — to keep humans in the driver’s seat. By consciously choosing harder paths at times, preserving uniquely human strengths, and regularly testing independent problem-solving skills, we can maintain the mental resilience AI quietly erodes.

The window is still open, but closing fast. ChatGPT-5 could either become a powerful thinking partner or an invisible replacement for human reasoning. The deciding factor, Walther suggests, will be whether we actively preserve our skills — or allow convenience to quietly take them from us.