Siddharth Saoji 
The recent breakthroughs with reasoning models in AI scaling laws presents an intriguing starting point for a thought experiment. While we’re discovering new ways to scale artificial intelligence through improved parameters, data quality, compute power, and inference optimization, could we apply similar thinking to enhance human intelligence ?(yes I know it’s a full circle)
As AI continues to evolve, it’s worth exploring potential ways to enhance our natural intelligence. Not necessarily to compete with AI, but to complement it and potentially focus on uniquely human capabilities. Looking at how AI systems scale might offer interesting parallels for human cognitive enhancement.
Could Skill Deepening be Our Version of Parameter Optimization?
Just as AI models improve through parameter optimization, perhaps humans could enhance their intelligence by deepening their existing skill sets. This might involve deliberate practice and continuous experimentation within our areas of expertise. When we persistently challenge ourselves, we encounter new barriers and overcome them, potentially building neural pathways that could help us tackle similar challenges more effectively in the future.
This approach might offer compound benefits. Each new challenge we overcome could add to our experiential knowledge base, potentially making us increasingly adept at pattern recognition and problem-solving within our domains of expertise.
Skill Expansion: A Human Parallel to Data Quality and Quantity?
While AI benefits from larger, higher-quality datasets, humans might grow by expanding their skill horizons. Consider a programmer taking up painting, or a writer learning to cook. This cross-disciplinary approach could serve an important purpose: preventing cognitive narrowing.
When we excel in one area, we might risk developing tunnel vision. By exploring new skills and experiences, we could potentially activate different areas of our minds. This cross-pollination of skills might lead to unexpected connections and insights, possibly enhancing our overall cognitive flexibility and creative problem-solving abilities.
Mental Efficiency: Drawing Parallels with Inference Optimization
Just as AI researchers work on optimizing inference time, there might be ways to enhance our mental processing efficiency. Two interesting approaches worth considering:
Meditation as a Mental Reset
Meditation could potentially serve as a tool for mental decluttering. Our minds often run on autopilot, jumping from thought to thought without pause. Regular meditation practice might improve focus and attention, potentially allowing us to engage more deeply with tasks at hand. The practice of giving our brains periodic rest through meditation could enhance our ability to concentrate when it matters most.
The Nutrition-Cognition Connection
An interesting angle to consider is how our eating habits might influence cognitive performance. Research suggests connections between gut health and brain function. Could mindful food choices, regular eating patterns, proper chewing, and hydration reduce physical distractions and optimize mental performance? This might be another avenue worth exploring in our quest for enhanced cognitive function.
Looking Forward
As artificial intelligence continues its remarkable scaling trajectory, exploring ways to enhance our natural intelligence in parallel could be valuable.
The three potential approaches outlined here – deepening skills, expanding horizons, and optimizing efficiency – offer one possible framework for thinking about enhancing our cognitive capabilities. By exploring these and other avenues, we might discover new ways to grow alongside AI, potentially leveraging both artificial and natural intelligence to push the boundaries of what’s possible.