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The case for human–AI interaction as system 0 thinking

Nature Human Behaviour volume 8, pages 1829–1830 (2024)Cite this article

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The rapid integration of these artificial intelligence (AI) tools into our daily lives is reshaping how we think and make decisions1. We propose that data-driven AI systems, by transcending individual artefacts and interfacing with a dynamic, multiartefact ecosystem, constitute a distinct psychological system. We call this ‘system 0’, and position it alongside Kahneman’s system 1 (fast, intuitive thinking) and system 2 (slow, analytical thinking)2.

System 0 represents the outsourcing of certain cognitive tasks to AI, which can process vast amounts of data and perform complex computations beyond human capabilities. It emerges from the interaction between users and AI systems, which creates a dynamic, personalized interface between humans and information.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by the Italian PNRR under the FAIR Project "Co-XAI - Cognitive Decision Intelligence Framework for Explainable AI Systems".

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infrastructure Solutions Group, Lenovo, Milan, Italy

    Massimo Chiriatti

  2. Philosophy Department, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA

    Marianna Ganapini

  3. Faculty of Language Sciences and Foreign Literature, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy

    Enrico Panai

  4. Postgraduate School of Environmental Studies, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Brescia, Italy

    Mario Ubiali

  5. Humane Technology Lab, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Riva

  6. Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Riva

Authors
  1. Massimo Chiriatti
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  2. Marianna Ganapini
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  3. Enrico Panai
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  4. Mario Ubiali
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  5. Giuseppe Riva
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giuseppe Riva.

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Chiriatti, M., Ganapini, M., Panai, E. et al. The case for human–AI interaction as system 0 thinking. Nat Hum Behav 8, 1829–1830 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01995-5

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