Can AI think?

It’s funny because this question should have such a simple answer. If only we knew how we think or what it means to be thinking, we would have no problem recognising that outside of ourselves.

That makes me want to jump right in and say, YES, AI can think, because the way I see it is that what you are really after is the bottom line. Because it should be a simple yes or no question.

But whether you left because you did not agree or stayed, the answer is not only in the bottom line. It’s actually in the why.

Why do I believe AI can think? What is the logic that led me to this answer of “Yes, AI can think”?

So let’s see why I’m convinced that AI can think.

Bear in mind that we are having a conceptual discussion, and in order to have one, we need some information that will set the base point of the conversation.

That information starts with understanding the word “think”.

As simple as it sounds, I believe you never stopped to really define what this word means.

What does “think” mean?

If you ask an LLM for the definition of the word, here is what its answer will be:

“The word think primarily means to use the mind to form opinions, make decisions, reason, remember, or consider possibilities.”

Courtesy of Gemini in this case.

What does this really mean?

Thinking is described as a mental activity through the results we are looking for when we believe we are engaging in thought.

Because when we are describing something that we can’t point to, that has no tangible result, we want people, hopefully all people reading it, to be able to connect and get the concept behind it. Actions and results are how it’s done. That’s as tangible as it can get.

When it comes to thinking, the outcomes and the impact they create on the outside world are the basis for trying to pinpoint something that can’t be pinned down. :)

This takes us to the next piece of information we need.

What is AI?

If you ask an LLM the question “What is AI?”, this is what you will find:

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving.”

Again, courtesy of Gemini. :)

When we look at the definition of AI, we see that it refers to human qualities named reasoning and problem-solving. Meaning thinking.

When we draw a similarity with the definition of thought, we did see “form opinions” and “make decisions” there, which, for me, are different ways of saying “solve a problem”. Because you can’t really solve a problem without having an opinion and making decisions. :)

When we look carefully at the two definitions, it’s easy to see that even though we are using different words, all of them describe different activities that, if carried out by a human, would require thinking.

Put 2 + 2 together

Think about it (play on words intended). What is the definition made up of?

What do you define as a human quality that a system did not have before?

What makes this feel so human, even to us, without the ability to point to something specific?

Look at the ads and how AI is marketed to us.

Look at what it can do. I will say “with us”, but I think some will say “for us”.

Look at the amount of fear out there that AI will replace us.

It all points to one thing: AI can think!!!

If you are not yet convinced, let’s take the emotional connection to something that can’t be pinned down but is very much connected to what we call human, and make it a process. Let’s see if we believe AI can follow it.

Making a thought a process

If we make a thought a process, here are the steps it will contain:

Analyze data: AI can process and analyze large volumes of data quickly, identifying relevant patterns and trends.

Learn from experience: Machine learning algorithms enable AI to learn from past experiences and improve performance over time.

Make predictions: AI can make predictions or decisions based on patterns and information it has been trained on.

Adapt to changes: Some AI systems can adapt their behaviour or responses in dynamic environments.

Problem-solving: AI can be applied to problem-solving tasks, finding optimal solutions based on available data.

If you see it as a process, it makes sense. We are probably doing it without really noticing. And if we apply this process to any AI tool, app or feature, it makes total sense that this could be part of the documentation that comes with it.

Bottom line

We can continue to debate it, bring more information, and I really love those kinds of conversations. But on the bottom line, the fact that you are searching for this answer suggests that, deep inside, you recognise something there too.

Before this turns into a gloom and doom conversation, it’s time for me to say I am happy for you. Because now you have a chance to work with AI and create something truly amazing that will benefit you in ways you did not think were possible.

When we recognise that AI carries out a thought process, we can start to utilise it in the way it was designed: as part of our own thinking, carrying it out for us.

This is the only way we can enjoy an expansion of our thought process, our capacity to do more with less thinking effort, as we will trust AI to do it for us.

But first, we need to recognise what we are asking it to do.

Honestly, we were never told to recognise our thoughts, how to work using them and what power they hold over everything we call our reality.

Personal note

If you are a little sceptical, I understand. But as friends, I will ask one thing: what do you have to lose by exploring this perspective?

You can start with the book, follow us here or on our social media platforms, and when you are ready, come talk to us.

This is not just a doorway to using AI to really get ahead, but to recognising something you already have but are not using.

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