AI Is Thinking Deeper
So, Are You Thinking Less?
For centuries, intelligence was measured by how well we think. Now, it is measured by how quickly AI can think for us.
Institutions formalised intelligence through education, testing, and credentialing. Universities, research institutions, and professional guilds set the standards for knowledge and expertise. Intelligence was something to be developed, challenged, and refined over a lifetime.
Now, AI models process information in seconds. They retrieve, synthesise, and generate insights faster than any human. Claude 3.7, GPT-4.5 Turbo, DeepSeek R1, Gemini 2.0, and Grok 3 are no longer just optimising for quick responses. They are engaging in deeper reasoning, multi-step problem-solving, and contextual analysis.
The paradox is clear: AI is thinking deeper, which means most people are thinking less.
Instant Ramen No More
Gen AI has been like instant ramen. It has been fast, convenient, and sometimes satisfying, but rarely nourishing. It delivered quick answers and neatly packaged summaries.
But AI models are no longer just optimizing for speed and fluency. They are evolving to engage with ambiguity, wrestle with complexity, and structure reasoning in ways that resemble human thought. The shift is not subtle. It is fundamental.
Here’s how LLMs are changing:
Claude 3.7 Sonnet (Anthropic) introduces a hybrid reasoning model, allowing users to choose between rapid responses and detailed, step-by-step reasoning. This flexibility enhances problem-solving capabilities, particularly in complex tasks such as coding and mathematical problem-solving.*
GPT-4.5 (OpenAI) emphasises advanced reasoning and problem-solving abilities, enhanced creativity, and superior contextual memory, leading to more coherent multi-turn conversations. It also integrates real-time web access, providing up-to-date information during interactions.**
DeepSeek R1 is pioneering open-source deep thinking, demonstrating that AI can engage in extended reasoning and reflection.
Grok 3 (xAI) integrates synthetic data training and an adaptive reasoning slider, allowing users to control depth while excelling in adversarial problem-solving and complex reasoning tasks.***
This signifies a structural shift in how AI processes thought itself. And yet, most people are still using AI to think less, not more.
Certainty Ain’t Accuracy, Folks!
When AI is used passively rather than strategically, three things happen:
Automation Breeds Overconfidence → AI speaks with confidence, but confidence is not accuracy. Stop interrogating its logic, and you stop thinking critically.
Instant Answers Kill Critical Thinking → Thinking is a process. Struggle and friction sharpen understanding. AI removes them—but what do we lose?
Speed Replaces Strategy → AI makes everything faster. But efficiency without direction? That’s just autopilot.
The real danger is not AI getting smarter. It is us getting lazier. Guilty as charged.
So How Can We Think Better?
AI should surface complexity, not eliminate it. Use it for strategy, ethics, and creativity, where depth matters more than speed.
Try these prompts after your AI tool generates it’s first outputs:
What are three potential risks or blind spots in this approach?
What’s the strongest counterargument?
What assumption is this based on?AI is Getting Smarter. Are You?
AI is now capable of deeper, more structured thought. The real question is:
Are you using AI to think more deeply or just more quickly?
When was the last time AI forced you to reconsider an assumption rather than confirm it?
Are you leading AI, or is it leading you?
The future belongs to those who use AI best.
All The Zest 🍋,
Cien
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