Chatbot Cognitive Tax

Chat interfaces impose a measurable mental load that can erase much of AI’s productivity gains, especially for less‑experienced workers. Specialized, task‑native interfaces (coding agents, research canvases, marketing generators) reorganize output and reduce cognitive friction, unlocking capabilities that raw chat cannot. — If interface design — not model capability — determines who benefits from AI, policy, business strategy, and workplace training must shift focus toward building and regulating task‑specific AI interfaces.