In this tutorial you will learn:

• Mechanisms, benefits, and harms of cognitive offloading in human–AI interaction
• How to use the Cognitive Offloading Matrix for decision making about AI design and innovation
• Strategies for gaining organizational buy-in for AI that empowers people and builds trust

Technology has long shaped how we think, remember, and learn, from writing to calculators to navigation apps. But as rapidly evolving, emergent genAI solutions drive organizational and product strategy, we face a unique and urgent challenge: how can we guide the development of generative AI tools to enhance human cognition in ways that are desirable?

As AI reshapes industries, companies that design AI to extend—rather than replace—human capabilities will gain a competitive edge by empowering customers and building brand trust. This tutorial equips you with the cognitive science expertise and strategic tools to drive human-centered AI innovation and enhance decision-making. It covers:

The Science of Cognitive Offloading

• Understand the cognitive mechanisms behind delegating “thinking tasks” to technology.
• Learn to identify when, why, and how cognitive offloading occurs, and explore the latest cognitive science research on genAI’s impact on critical thinking, memory, and learning.

Using the Cognitive Offloading Matrix

• Learn a practical tool that helps teams make informed decisions about which tasks to delegate to genAI.
• Walk through using it for both ideation and prioritization of concepts and features.
• Explore its applications beyond product development, including product marketing and change management.

Gaining Organizational Buy-in and Communicating about AI’s Cognitive Impact

• Discover strategies for initiating and leading discussions on AI-driven cognitive offloading within organizations.
• Learn to navigate power dynamics and effectively frame your work’s impact within the realities of market pressures.

Who Will Benefit from This Tutorial?

This tutorial is particularly valuable for those working on AI-enabled solutions, such as researchers, designers, and product managers. No disciplinary background in cognitive or computer science is assumed.

Assignments

Participants will complete a pre-read to enhance the learning experience.

Instructor

Stefanie Hutka is the founder and Head of Design Research at Sendfull, where she helps teams build useful, usable emerging technology solutions. She previously led research for 0-to-1 spatial computing product launches at Adobe and Meta, and established the design research function at augmented reality startup, DAQRI. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto, specializing in cognitive neuroscience.