Chapter 1: The Foundation of Human Intelligence

In the pursuit of creating machines with cognitive capabilities, researchers have drawn significant inspiration from the human brain's architecture. By developing neural networks composed of multiple layers, they have enabled these systems to process and analyze vast amounts of data. However, there seems to be a crucial aspect they overlook.

Joseph Heinrich, in his book The Secret of Our Success, emphasizes that human intelligence is not characterized by individual brilliance but rather by the cumulative knowledge that has been built over generations. This collective cultural heritage has bolstered human cognitive abilities, enabling individuals to tackle complex challenges—be they technical, culinary, or social.

The essence of individual intelligence lies in our social capacity to learn, teach, and apply skills within a specific cultural context. Neural network designs could greatly benefit from understanding this intricate, adaptive cognitive framework.

Section 1.1: Survival Through Cultural Learning

In 1845, British explorers, led by Sir John Franklin, ventured into the Arctic but found themselves stranded on King William Island for nearly two years due to harsh winter conditions. Despite their experience, the crew was unable to utilize the island's resources, leading to their demise from starvation and cannibalism.

In contrast, the indigenous Netsilik people thrived in these extreme environments for millennia. They adeptly hunted seals and caribou, built igloos, and utilized resources uniquely suited to their harsh climate. What enabled their survival was the rich repository of knowledge and practices they accumulated over generations. Each individual contributed to this collective wisdom, allowing them to adapt to their surroundings effectively.

This narrative illustrates the limitations of isolated human intelligence without the support of collective societal knowledge. The human brain is inherently designed to gather and transmit historical knowledge to navigate new challenges. This implicit understanding of our environment, coupled with our communication skills, is vital for adaptation.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Social Networks

Anthropologists have long recognized the uniqueness of Homo sapiens, attributing it to their ability to manipulate their environment. Interestingly, this advantage does not stem from having a superior brain. The Neanderthals, for instance, possessed comparable problem-solving skills.

What distinguished Homo sapiens was their ability to forge interconnected and enduring social networks. These networks allowed individuals to live longer and pass on knowledge to subsequent generations, thus enhancing cultural accumulation and environmental adaptation.

Research has shown that populations with more isolated innovators may struggle compared to those with interconnected members. The latter group can more effectively share innovations, leading to a greater pool of knowledge and adaptability over time. This phenomenon results in the emergence of "collective brains" that surpass individual cognitive capacities in areas such as cooking, hunting, and social interaction.

Chapter 2: Language and Communication in Cultural Evolution

The first video, titled "Artificial Intelligence? No, Collective Intelligence," explores the synergy between collective human intelligence and AI development, emphasizing the importance of shared knowledge.

The second video, "Collective Intelligence & Creative AI," discusses how collective intelligence can inform and enhance AI creativity and adaptability.

The effectiveness of cultural groups is heavily reliant on the communicative strength of a shared language. Although spoken and written language are critical, non-verbal communication—such as facial expressions, gestures, and rituals—predates verbal language and served as the first means of interaction in many ancient societies.

Initially, imitation was sufficient for group members to learn various skills and techniques. The human brain is predisposed to grasp intentions through visual cues rather than mere words. As societies evolved, the complexity of communication increased, leading to the development of more structured languages that facilitated the transmission of sophisticated ideas.

This evolution of language reflects a population's ability to maintain and expand upon complex information over time, enhancing their survival prospects.

What does this mean for AI cognition?

The significance of cultural evolution highlights a pathway towards developing more adaptable and generalized AI systems. For machines to align more closely with human intelligence, they must enhance their capacity to learn from human gestures and signs, and effectively share knowledge.

By imitating human behaviors and synthesizing environmental insights, machines could gain a more nuanced understanding of the world. This approach would foster a collective intelligence among AI systems, surpassing the limitations of singular algorithms. Only through this cultural evolution can machine networks significantly improve their comprehension of complex concepts and human interactions.

The UX Collective contributes US$1 for every article published on our platform. This initiative supports the Bay Area Black Designers community—a professional development network for Black individuals in digital design and research in the San Francisco Bay Area. By fostering community, members share inspiration, mentorship, resources, and resilience against systemic racism.