Can arguing with ai improve a person's logical abilities, intellectual persuasiveness, and critical thinking? Or is it merely capable of tricking you into believing that it can?

Didn’t read but…

In terms of convincing the LLM by argument, absolutely not. But you can instruct it to be critical and pedantic and come up with the best arguments it can to rebutt you. That holds some limited value. In terms of a back and forth debate, it’s much less useful; it will both argue in circles or cede ground when it doesn’t need to. It’s categorically hard to argue with something that is incapable of belief or understanding…

But another good usecase is that it can give feedback by way of sentiment analysis; helping you reframe and rephrase your arguments with an ear to how they will be received.

There may also be a value in trying to do the back and forth arguments, but analyzing them for flaws; seeing firsthand why it doesn’t make a good debate partner. But that’s a one-off level-up.