1.5.3. Collective cognition
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1.5.3. Collective cognition
Use the future to build the present
Collective cognition
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1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology
1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology

Sub-Field:

1.5.3Collective cognition

    The theory underpinning CI research remains fragmented and underdeveloped, which limits our ability to design interventions that can enhance CI. A better understanding of collective cognition --- how groups of humans "think" as a unit --- will be critical for moving the field forward.

    This can be split into different aspects such as observation (integrating citizen inputs and other data sources); models (for example, a shared digital model of how a city or organisation works); memory (records of past systems and their performance); creativity (innovation, for example) and empathy (sensing and understanding feelings). This provides a framework for seeing how they can be advanced, with technology advancing some rapidly (eg observation) and others much less so. This approach makes it possible to use CI for diagnosis and problem-solving by bringing together new methods for understanding problems, generating solutions, implementing them and learning from them.

    Filling the gaps in our understanding will be a major challenge. Research has shown that collective cognition is not uniform and is shaped by the social structures in which the groups operate,20 a significant observation since current approaches to studying human interaction struggle to account for social dynamics. While there has been progress on defining and even measuring CI itself,21 deciding what characterises "intelligent" group behaviour remains subjective.

    Increasing use of technology to enhance CI also necessitates the development of new metrics of collective cognition that can be collected unobtrusively and then used by digital platforms or AI to improve group collaboration. Taking a multidisciplinary approach that pulls insights from biology, computer science, and the social sciences will be crucial for developing a holistic view of CI.22

    Future Horizons:

    ×××

    5-yearhorizon

    Coherent theory of CI emerges

    Academic research delineates the various national, cultural and social influences on collective cognition, paving the way for a coherent theory of human CI. Attempts to harness CI for practical applications are increasingly informed by CI theory.

    10-yearhorizon

    Metrics quantify CI

    Data-gathering from online participation in collective activities allows researchers to develop metrics that quantify different aspects of CI. This is used to both develop better models of collective cognition and to act as a crucial input for digital tools designed to improve CI.

    25-yearhorizon

    CI theory incorporates machines

    Comprehensive models of collective cognition make it possible to boost the effectiveness of both small and large groups of humans. CI theory is broadened to incorporate increasingly intelligent machines in theories of collective cognition.

    Collective cognition - Anticipation Scores

    How the experts see this field in terms of the expected time to maturity, transformational effect across science and industries, current state of awareness among stakeholders and its possible impact on people, society and the planet. See methodology for more information.

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