Prof. Riva Publishes in Nature: The Role of AI in the Human Mind

Professor Giuseppe Riva, Director of the Humane Technology Lab, has recently published a groundbreaking article in the scientific journal Nature Human Behaviour, introducing the concept of System 0—a revolutionary theory on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human cognitive processes.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Massimo Chiriatti and other experts, examines how data-driven tools—from search engines to virtual assistants—are no longer just external aids but actual extensions of the human mind, subtly influencing thoughts and decisions in ways we barely perceive.

This research represents a crucial step in understanding AI’s impact on human cognition and opens new perspectives on the future of human-technology interactions.

The authors propose that, alongside the two cognitive systems identified by Daniel Kahneman—System 1 (fast, intuitive thinking) and System 2 (slow, rational thinking)—AI functions as a System 0, anticipating and shaping our choices through pre-processed information. This fusion of technology and human thought raises critical questions about our control over decision-making and cognitive autonomy.

The System 0 concept highlights how AI is shaping our decisions and ways of thinking, acting as a technological extension of the human mind.

"The impact of AI is not just about its applications but its ability to alter the decision-making processes of the human mind. Alongside intuition (System 1) and reasoning (System 2)—the two cognitive systems that earned Kahneman the Nobel Prize in Economics—we now have AI’s System 0, which autonomously generates tailored content beyond our control. What does this mean for us? We explore it in Nature Human Behaviour."
– Giuseppe Riva

📄 Read the full article in Nature Human Behaviour: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01995-5