Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work with information across disciplines and practical contexts. A growing range of disciplines are now involved in studying, developing and assessing the use of AI in practice, but these disciplines often employ conflicting understandings of what AI is and what is involved in its use. New, interdisciplinary approaches are needed to bridge competing conceptualizations of AI in practice and help shape the future of AI use. I propose a novel conceptual framework called AI Thinking, which models key decisions and considerations involved in AI use across disciplinary perspectives. AI Thinking addresses five practice-based competencies involved in applying AI in context: motivating AI use, formulating AI methods, assessing available tools and technologies, selecting appropriate data and situating AI in the sociotechnical contexts it is used in. A hypothetical case study is provided to illustrate the application of AI Thinking in practice. This article situates AI Thinking in broader cross-disciplinary discourses of AI, including its connections to ongoing discussions around AI literacy and AI-driven innovation. AI Thinking can help to bridge between the work of diverse disciplines, contexts and actors in the AI space, and shape AI efforts in education, industrial development and policy.
Source: Royal Society Open Science
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241482
Author: Denis Newman-Griffis
Institution: University of Sheffield
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,471
Funders: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Wellcome Trust, “la Caixa” Foundation, Michael Smith Health Research BC, University College London, Volkswagen Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Universiteit Leiden, Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Koning Boudewijnstichting, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Australian Research Council, Research England
OpenAlex ID: W4406135736