Crowdsourcing Cognitive Maps for Generative AI

Homepage: https://sihangqiu.com/cognitive-map

We're introducing the concept of the Cognitive Map to address current limitations of AI's spatial intelligence.

Humans understand space through the construction of "cognitive maps" - internal mental representations of the spaces we inhabit. These maps are semantic in nature, providing a rich and meaningful understanding of the space.

In this work, we propose a new foundation for spatial intelligence: the Artificial Cognitive Map - a structured, symbolic, and contextual representation of a spatial environment, designed to achieve human-like functionality.

The Artificial Cognitive Map has two categories: Collective Cognitive Map (CCM) for understanding crowds, and Specific Cognitive Maps for understanding individuals.

The Collective Cognitive Map (CCM) represents a common spatial understanding of a group of people, or all human beings. We envision this is a critical area for advancing AI's ability.

Why do we need them?

1. Superficial spatial reasoning limited to immediate perception
2. Inconsistent & implausible space generation

What is our solution?

1. Design Cognitive Map Language
   • Define cognitive maps for AI. Let it read, understand, and apply them, just like we do.
2. Crowdsource Cognitive Maps
   • Build these maps with human insight. They will help AI based on our own knowledge of a space.
3. Improve AI using Cognitive Maps
   • Put the maps to work. The AI will use this knowledge to think and create within spaces just like us.

What do cognitive maps deliver?

1. A contextual spatial knowledge base.
2. A tool for modeling human spatial understanding.
3. A validator for measuring AI performance.

Website

Please visit: https://sihangqiu.com/cognitive-map