[2609.03344] Large-Language Models as a Cognitive Virus (https://arxiv.org/static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/apple-touch-icon.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/favicon-32x32.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/favicon-16x16.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/site.webmanifest) (https://arxiv.org/static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/safari-pinned-tab.svg) (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/arXiv.css@v=20260318.css)  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/arXiv-print.css@v=20200611.css)  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/browse_search.css)  (../static/base/1.0.1/css/arxiv-header-footer.css@v=20260626.css)  (2609.03344.html)                  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/tooltip.css)  (../../static.arxiv.org/js/bibex-dev/bibex.css@20200709.css)                  (2609.03344.html#content) Skip to main content (https://arxiv.org/IgnoreMe)  (https://arxiv.org/) (archive)       (https://arxiv.org/search)    Search  (https://arxiv.org/user/create) Submit (https://info.arxiv.org/about/donate.html) Donate  (https://arxiv.org/login) Log in   Search arXiv (Search papers by title, author, abstract, or ID...) (all) (header)  Press Enter to search · (https://arxiv.org/search/advanced) Advanced search    Physics > Physics and Society  arXiv:2609.03344 (physics)  (../static/base/1.0.1/css/abs.css) [Submitted on 3 Sep 2026] Title: Large-Language Models as a Cognitive Virus Authors: (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Sol%C3%A9,+R) Ricard Solé , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Ruffini,+G) Giulio Ruffini , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Castaldo,+F) Francesca Castaldo , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Tuccio,+M) Marco Tuccio , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Seoane,+L+F) Luis F. Seoane , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=de+Domenico,+M) Manlio de Domenico , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Elena,+S+F) Santiago F. Elena , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Krakauer,+D+C) David C. Krakauer , (https://arxiv.org/search/physics?searchtype=author&query=Levin,+M) Michael Levin  View a PDF of the paper titled Large-Language Models as a Cognitive Virus, by Ricard Sol\'e and 8 other authors (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.03344) View PDF (https://arxiv.org/html/2609.03344v1) HTML (experimental) Abstract: Large-language models (LLMs) are rapidly becoming part of human culture, reshaping how information is produced, transmitted, and used. Here we propose that their diffusion can be understood through a viral analogy, with LLM use spreading through populations, becoming embedded in cognitive and cultural practices. We model transitions among uncoupled, coupled, and persistently dependent users, and show that the interplay between social transmission, recovery, and collective reinforcement can generate tipping points and technological lock-in. A central consequence is the possibility of runaway dynamics: once a critical threshold is crossed, small increases in adoption can trigger rapid population-level shifts toward persistent dependence, with abrupt losses in cognitive competence. The same framework, however, identifies conditions for cognitive immunization, based on reducing transmission and facilitating reversibility. Our results highlight how LLM adoption may involve nonlinear collective transitions with important consequences for cognitive autonomy.  Comments: 12 pages, 3 figures  Subjects: Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) ; Computers and Society (cs.CY); Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO); Populations and Evolution (q-bio.PE)  Cite as: (2609.03344.html) arXiv:2609.03344 [physics.soc-ph]    (or (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344v1) arXiv:2609.03344v1 [physics.soc-ph] for this version)    (https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.03344) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.03344   Focus to learn more   arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)        Submission history From: Luis F Seoane PhD [(https://arxiv.org/show-email/b2520fac/2609.03344) view email ]  [v1] Thu, 3 Sep 2026 04:03:49 UTC (2,776 KB)    Full-text links: Access Paper: View a PDF of the paper titled Large-Language Models as a Cognitive Virus, by Ricard Sol\'e and 8 other authors (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.03344) View PDF  (https://arxiv.org/html/2609.03344v1) HTML (experimental)  (https://arxiv.org/src/2609.03344) TeX Source    (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) (Rights to this article) (license icon)  view license    Current browse context: physics.soc-ph (https://arxiv.org/prevnext?id=2609.03344&function=prev&context=physics.soc-ph) (previous in physics.soc-ph (accesskey p)) < prev  |  (https://arxiv.org/prevnext?id=2609.03344&function=next&context=physics.soc-ph) (next in physics.soc-ph (accesskey n)) next >    (https://arxiv.org/list/physics.soc-ph/new) new |  (https://arxiv.org/list/physics.soc-ph/recent) recent |  (https://arxiv.org/list/physics.soc-ph/2026-09) 2026-09  Change to browse by: (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=cs) cs (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=cs.CY) cs.CY (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=nlin) nlin (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=nlin.AO) nlin.AO (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=physics) physics (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=q-bio) q-bio (https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344?context=q-bio.PE) q-bio.PE    References & Citations (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/arXiv:2609.03344) NASA ADS  (https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?arxiv_id=2609.03344) Google Scholar  (https://api.semanticscholar.org/arXiv:2609.03344) Semantic Scholar     export BibTeX citation Loading...  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