Researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, Italy, published a paper in "Nature·Human Behavior" on the 22nd, saying that artificial intelligence (AI) is giving rise to a new thinking model - "System 0", which is expected to support in the future and enhance human cognitive abilities. This discovery is considered a revolutionary advance in the field of cognition.
It is known that humans have two modes of thinking: one is the intuitive, fast and automatic "System 1"; the other is the more analytical and reflective "System 2". According to research, "System 0" can operate in parallel with these two modes of thinking in humans. The introduction of "System 0" adds an additional layer of complexity, fundamentally changes people's cognitive environment, and may represent a key step in the evolution of human thinking and decision-making capabilities. The researchers stress that people should ensure that this technological advancement is used to promote, rather than undermine, human cognitive autonomy.
To better understand the concept of "System 0," the researchers likened it to an external brain drive. Just like a USB flash drive allows people to access stored data on any computer, AI can also be used as an expansion tool for human mental activities with its powerful data processing capabilities. This means that AI can manage and process large amounts of information and give recommendations or make decisions based on complex algorithms. However, unlike "System 1" and "System 2", "System 0" does not assign intrinsic meaning to the information it processes. In other words, although AI can perform calculation tasks, make predictions and even generate responses, it does not need to truly "understand" the meaning behind the data. Therefore, in this process, the final power of interpretation still lies in the hands of humans.
However, as people rely more and more on "System 0", there are certain risks. If people do not maintain a critical attitude towards the results provided by AI, they may lose their ability to make independent judgments. In addition, how to ensure the transparency of AI systems and build user trust is also one of the issues that need to be solved urgently.
Nonetheless, the emergence of "System 0" also brings unprecedented opportunities. With the help of AI's ability to efficiently handle complex problems, people can solve many difficult problems that are beyond the scope of personal cognition. Whether it is deeply exploring scientific unknowns, analyzing massive data sets, or optimizing social governance structures, AI will become an indispensable and powerful assistant.