"The Near Future of AI: Action-Driven Note-Taking Tools for Enhanced Cognitive Abilities"

"The Near Future of AI: Action-Driven Note-Taking Tools for Enhanced Cognitive Abilities"

In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have paved the way for exciting developments in various fields. One such development is the ReAct model, which combines the power of thought, action, and observation to create an action-driven AI system (Yao et al., 2022, arxiv). This model mimics human cognition by iteratively going through the steps of thinking about what is needed, choosing an action, and observing the outcome. By incorporating cognitive assets like search, ReAct can perform tasks more efficiently.

The concept of action-driven AI brings us closer to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). LLMs (large language models) have shown remarkable abilities in question-answering tasks when prompted to "think step by step" (Kojima et al., 2022, arxiv). However, their performance can be further enhanced by utilizing external cognitive assets. By accessing data from external sources, LLMs can bridge the resource gap and provide more accurate and comprehensive answers.

OpenAI's 002-text-davinci model has demonstrated the power of instruction tuning and Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) (blogpost). RLHF involves humans rating the success of a given prompt, allowing the model to learn and improve based on feedback. While this approach yields impressive results, true reinforcement learning holds even greater potential. Training AI systems to produce better results through actual reinforcement learning can lead to significant advancements and breakthroughs.

As AI continues to evolve, startups are poised to become key players in the field by creating powerful feedback loops. They can start by addressing a specific customer pain point and gradually collect data to improve their models. By continuously iterating and refining their offerings, these startups can establish a strong competitive advantage, acting as a moat in the AI landscape.

In parallel, note-taking tools have emerged as valuable aids in enhancing cognitive abilities and connecting ideas. Taking notes is not merely a passive act but an active involvement in making sense and meaning for later reflection and study (Roessingh, University of Calgary). Tools like Glasp and its browser extension provide users with the ability to highlight and take notes on any website. This feature allows individuals to capture important information and connect it with their existing knowledge, promoting critical thinking and deeper understanding.

Digital note-taking offers the advantage of easy accessibility and searchability. With a simple Ctrl + F command, users can quickly find specific keywords or phrases within their notes. This searchability feature is crucial for efficiently retrieving information and building upon previous knowledge. Moreover, Glasp offers the convenience of collecting and organizing notes and highlights in one place, creating a comprehensive profile for users to reference and share with others.

While audio notes can also be valuable, they come with the drawback of requiring transcription for later use. This can be time-consuming, especially for longer recordings. However, note-taking tools like Glasp can bridge this gap by integrating transcription capabilities, making it easier to convert audio notes into written form.

To maximize the benefits of note-taking tools, it is essential to adopt a mindful reading approach. Speed reading may allow us to cover more material, but it often sacrifices critical thinking and the ability to make connections with existing knowledge (Parrish, Farnam Street). By taking the time to engage with the content, actively highlight important points, and make meaningful connections, note-taking becomes a powerful tool for knowledge acquisition and retention.

In conclusion, the near future of AI lies in action-driven models that mimic human cognition and decision-making processes. These models, combined with effective note-taking tools, can enhance our cognitive abilities and facilitate the connection of ideas. To make the most of these advancements, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Embrace action-driven AI: Explore and experiment with AI models like ReAct that incorporate thought, action, and observation. Discover how these models can assist you in various tasks and decision-making processes.

• 2. Utilize note-taking tools: Incorporate digital note-taking tools like Glasp into your workflow. Take advantage of their searchability and organization features to enhance your learning and connect ideas effectively.

• 3. Read mindfully and take notes actively: Slow down your reading pace, actively highlight key points, and make connections with your existing knowledge. Engage with the content and use note-taking as a tool for deeper understanding and critical thinking.

By embracing the potential of action-driven AI and leveraging note-taking tools, we can unlock new levels of cognitive abilities and empower ourselves in the age of advanced technology.