Copyright

Claudia Feiner

Published On

2026-05-15

Language

  • English

Print Length

10 pages

THEMA

  • UY
  • QDTQ
  • KJ
  • JPP
  • KJG
  • YPMT

BISAC

  • COM004000
  • PHI005000
  • SOC071000
  • BUS070030
  • EDU039000

Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • AI ethics
  • intelligent systems
  • machine learning
  • AI impact
  • moral responsibility

10. Thinking in the Age of Machines

How AI Shapes and Distorts Human Cognition

  • Claudia Feiner (author)
Chapter of: The Unbearable Light(ness) of AI: Bright Promises and Hidden Shadows of Artificial Intelligence

This chapter asks a question that concerns us all: what becomes of human thinking when machines begin to share its work? Starting with a personal observation about memory, reading, and the lure of instant answers, Claudia Feiner opens the view onto a much larger field. The text links everyday encounters with AI to old disputes about mind, body, knowledge, and understanding.From ancient myths to great minds of early AI epoches, like Alan Turing, Joseph Weizenbaum, Hubert Dreyfus, Hans Moravec, and Roger Penrose, the argument follows the long trail of ideas that leads into the present age of large language models. What are the mechanisms behind this shift, including topics like cognitive offloading or digital amnesia? Why can it be dangerous to confuse information access with genuine understanding? AI does not merely help us think better. It also changes the structure of thinking itself.Rather than treating AI as either promise or threat, the author examines the emerging relationship between human and machine as a new form of shared cognition. It invites readers to consider what may be gained, and what may gradually be lost, when thinking becomes increasingly assisted.

Contributors

Claudia Feiner

(author)

Claudia Feiner Senior Data Consultant at DEGES. She fosters the strategic use of data and AI to build digital twins and therefore to power smarter and more resilient infrastructure across Germany’s federal transport network. She is a seasoned tech strategist with over 20 years of experience across global enterprises.Her career includes leadership roles in the Automotive sector and consulting. At Porsche she covered Esports, Metaverse, and Web3, long before they became mainstream. At Diconium she advanced future-oriented topics like AI for German OEMS.Having spent her career at the intersection of industry, IT, software, and infrastructure, she brings an unusual depth of insight into industrial and digital worlds. She connects IT, engineering, and executive leadership. Along the way, she has become a strong voice for diversity and inclusion and is widely regarded as a thought leader in various fields. She’s been celebrated as one of Germany’s 40 Over 40 (2022), Top 100 Heads (2021) and a top LGBT+ voice for several times.As an ambassador, speaker, and author, she raises awareness for her topics through articles, podcasts, and editorial contributions across various platforms.