What is 'Thinking Ability' in the AI Era? -- The Decisive Difference Between Humans and AI --

It is often said that 'this is an era where thinking ability is important.'
But honestly, haven't you ever thought this?

Speed of research, volume of knowledge, and logical accuracy.
In every respect, AI is easily surpassing humans.

Even so, why is it still said that 'human thinking ability' is necessary?

In this article, without
forcing a conflict between humans and AI, I will try to explain as simply as possible the 'decisive difference' that still certainly exists.

The 'thinking ability' that many people misunderstand

When people hear 'thinking ability,' many may have images like these.

• The ability to provide the correct answer

• The ability to explain logically

• Having a lot of knowledge

• Having a quick mind

But, if you look at it calmly—
these are already areas where AI excels.

If 'thinking ability' means 'the ability to provide the correct answer,' then humans will become increasingly disadvantaged from here on out.

Here, we need to
reconsider the very definition of 'thinking ability'.

Actually, both humans and AI are 'reacting'

First, let's start with a surprising commonality.

Both humans and AI are, fundamentally,
beings that react to external stimuli.

• Being asked a question

• Being placed in a situation

• Being given information

That is where thinking and judgment begin.

Looking only at this point,
humans and AI do not seem so different.

Many situations where we feel we are 'thinking'
are actually a chain of reactions as well.

Yet, there is one decisive difference

Even so—
there is a difference that simply cannot be bridged.

Humans can 'raise questions from within'

AI always requires input.
It cannot move without questions, commands, or conditions.

On the other hand, humans can

• a vague sense of discomfort

• an inexpressible, fuzzy feeling

• a question no one has asked

From such inner turbulence they can begin to think.

This is the decisive difference from AI.

'Thinking' is a back-and-forth movement between the inside and the outside

When humans are thinking,
this is actually what is happening.

• Emotions, intuition, and values are stirred

• Putting that into words, organizing it, and giving it meaning

• The result of that organization influences the inside once again

This back-and-forth between inside and outside is the act of 'thinking'.

If you only use your head, you will just spin your wheels.
If you rely only on your senses, you cannot communicate.

Strong thinking is born from a state where
internal sensations and external words are connected.

How will the 'power of thinking' change in the AI era?

AI is very good at taking over parts of our thinking process.

• Organizing

• Comparing

• Structuring

• Inferring

However, there are things that AI cannot do.

• Feeling a sense of discomfort

• Determining value

• Generating the question itself

Therefore, the 'power of thinking' from now on will change like this.

Formulating questions and setting the direction.
That is where the human role remains.

The smallest step you can take starting today

You don't need to do anything difficult.

For now, this alone is enough.

• Before looking for the correct answer

• Before summarizing things cleverly

“What is it that I am stuck on right now?”
try asking yourself that quietly.

It is okay if you cannot put it into words.
The power of thinking begins to move naturally from there.

Conclusion

The more AI evolves,
the clearer the meaning of humans 'thinking' becomes.

Humans are
beings who create questions and give meaning.

AI is
the best partner to expand that thinking.

Understanding this relationship
is the first step toward living comfortably in the AI era.

In another article,
I plan to cover 'So, how should we create questions?'
in a bit more detail.

I would be happy if this reaches the people who need it, exactly where they need it.
That is all for today.