# AI as Extraherics: Fostering Higher-order Thinking Skills in Human-AI Interaction

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.09218 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.09218/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 13 Sep 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [When Models Know More Than They Can Explain: Quantifying Knowledge Transfer in Human-AI Collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.05579/) (2025)
- [The Variance Paradox: How AI Reduces Diversity but Increases Novelty](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.19264/) (2025)
- [AnimAgents: Coordinating Multi-Stage Animation Pre-Production with Human-Multi-Agent Collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.17906/) (2025)
- [Orality: A Semantic Canvas for Externalizing and Clarifying Thoughts with Speech](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.02544/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI, continue to evolve, concerns have arisen about over-reliance on AI, which may lead to human deskilling and diminished cognitive engagement. Over-reliance on AI can also lead users to accept information given by AI without performing critical examinations, causing negative consequences, such as misleading users with hallucinated contents. This paper introduces extraheric AI, a human-AI interaction conceptual framework that fosters users' higher-order thinking skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, during task completion. Unlike existing human-AI interaction designs, which replace or augment human cognition, extraheric AI fosters cognitive engagement by posing questions or providing alternative perspectives to users, rather than direct answers. We discuss interaction strategies, evaluation methods aligned with cognitive load theory and Bloom's taxonomy, and future research directions to ensure that human cognitive skills remain a crucial element in AI-integrated environments, promoting a balanced partnership between humans and AI.