mlsanityData to 7 Oct 2026

Active Thinking Model: A Goal-Directed Self-Improving Framework for Real-World Adaptive Intelligence

arXiv 2511.00758 ↗First posted 2 Nov 2025cs.AIcited by 1

On the map: LLM reasoning → Test-time compute and efficient thinking

Abstract (arXiv)

Real-world artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly required to operate autonomously in dynamic, uncertain, and continuously changing environments. However, most existing AI models rely on predefined objectives, static training data, and externally supplied feedback, which restrict their ability to adapt, reflect, and improve independently. In this paper, we propose the Active Thinking Model (ATM)- a unified cognitive framework that integrates goal reasoning, dynamic task generation, and self-reflective learning into an adaptive architecture. Unlike conventional systems that passively execute fixed procedures, ATM actively evaluates its performance through logical reasoning and environmental indicators, reuses effective methods to solve new problems, and generates novel strategies for unseen situations via a continuous self-improvement loop. A mathematically grounded theoretical analysis demonstrates that ATM can autonomously evolve from suboptimal to optimal behavior without external supervision and maintain bounded tracking regret under changing environmental conditions.

Key facts. Cited by 1 paper in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Test-time compute and efficient thinking, one of 17 directions in LLM reasoning. Builds on 5 of its 29 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 2 Nov 2025.

Builds on

5 of 29 references.

References · 5

  1. 2025Method-Based Reasoning for Large Language Models: Extraction, Reuse, and Continuous Improvementcited by 6
  2. 2025Difference-Guided Reasoning: A Temporal-Spatial Framework for Large Language Modelscited by 4
  3. 2025A Layered Intuition -- Method Model with Scope Extension for LLM Reasoningcited by 3
  4. 2025Cross-Question Method Reuse in Large Language Models: From Word-Level Prediction to Rational Logical-Layer Reasoningcited by 2
  5. 2024Heuristics for Partially Observable Stochastic Contingent Planningcited by 1

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Cited by year (2026 to 7 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 1.

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  1. 2026Human-Inspired Continuous Learning of Internal Reasoning Processes: Learning How to Think for Adaptive AI Systems
  2. 2026Learn Like Humans: Use Meta-cognitive Reflection for Efficient Self-Improvement
  3. 2024Demonstrating the Continual Learning Capabilities and Practical Application of Discrete-Time Active Inference
  4. 2025The Missing Reward: Active Inference in the Era of Experience
  5. 2026Human Simulation Computation: A Human-Inspired Framework for Adaptive AI Systems
  6. 2026OPT-BENCH: Evaluating the Iterative Self-Optimization of LLM Agents in Large-Scale Search Spaces
  7. 2026A Taxonomy of Cognitive Capability Gaps in Generative and Agentic AI
  8. 2025Assessing Adaptive World Models in Machines with Novel Games