ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HUMAN COGNITION

Abstract

This chapter examines the dynamic relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and human cognition. It provides a historical overview of key developments in fields, highlighting how computational models have been inspired by psychological theories of learning, memory, perception, and reasoning. The discussion emphasizes where AI systems approximate human cognitive functions and where they diverge, such as in causal reasoning, compositional generalization, and rapid learning. The chapter also considers the ways AI has been used as a tool for advancing cognitive science and the implications of these models for education, healthcare, and human–machine collaboration. Ethical concerns are addressed, including bias, interpretability, and the risks of over-attributing human-like intelligence to machines. The chapter concludes by outlining future research directions that encourage integrative approaches, blending computational efficiency with cognitive principles to create systems that not only perform effectively but also align with human values.