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AI Cognitive Architectures
System 2 Thinking is Reshaping AI
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, we’re witnessing a fundamental shift from simple pattern matching to sophisticated reasoning systems. This transformation isn’t just technical — it’s reshaping how AI companies build products and create value.
Let’s explore how the emergence of “System 2” thinking and cognitive architectures is creating a new paradigm in AI applications using the new Sequoiacap Generative AI Act o1 white paper as inspiration.
The Evolution from Fast to Deep Thinking
System 1 vs. System 2: A Tale of Two AIs
Traditional AI systems, much like human intuition, excel at rapid pattern recognition and instant responses — what psychologists call “System 1” thinking. These systems, powered by large language models (LLMs), are impressive but limited. They can generate text, analyze patterns, and provide quick answers, but they struggle with complex reasoning and novel problem-solving.
Enter “System 2” thinking — the deliberate, methodical reasoning that humans use for complex tasks. OpenAI’s o1 (formerly known as Q* or Strawberry) represents a breakthrough in this direction. Unlike its predecessors, o1 doesn’t just pattern match; it “stops to think,”…
