Cognitive Amplification vs Cognitive Delegation in Human-AI Systems: A Metric Framework
Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in human decision-making, yet distinguishing systems that genuinely amplify human cognition from those promoting excessive dependence remains underdefined. This paper introduces a framework to distinguish cognitive amplification (improving hybrid performance without degrading human capability) from cognitive delegation (outsourcing reasoning to the AI). We define four metrics: the Cognitive Amplification Index (CAI*), Dependency Ratio (D), Human Reliance Index (HRI), and Human Cognitive Drift Rate (HCDR). We test this framework in an agent-based NetLogo simulation across three reliance regimes and multiple dependency-atrophy configurations,...
| Authors | Eduardo Di Santi, Carla Florida |
|---|---|
| Primary category | cs.HC |
| Published | 19 March 2026 |
| Last updated at source | 10 September 2026 |
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