NSF SBIR Funded Research

Advancing the science of thinking

We research how AI can enhance human reasoning, debate skills, and critical thinking in education.

$300K
NSF Phase 1
100+
Customer Interviews
6+
University Partners

Our Mission

We believe AI should enhance human thinking, not replace it. Our research focuses on developing AI systems that help people become better thinkers, communicators, and learners.

Authentic Assessment

Developing assessments that can't be gamed by AI

Dialogical Learning

Understanding how conversation drives deeper learning

Human-AI Collaboration

Designing AI that augments rather than replaces

A New Paradigm Emerges

The evolution of education is returning to its roots—dialogue and debate—now augmented by AI.

Ancient Times - 18th Century

The Era of Debate

In higher education's early days, debate was the cornerstone of learning. From Socratic dialogues to medieval disputations, students honed their critical thinking and rhetoric through vigorous discussion and argumentation.

19th - 20th Century

The Rise of Textbooks

As education became more standardized, textbooks emerged as the primary medium. This shift brought consistency to curricula but often at the cost of the dynamic interactions that characterized earlier educational models.

Late 20th Century

The Digital Revolution

The advent of computers and the internet began to transform education. While textbooks remained important, digital resources started to supplement traditional materials, offering new ways to access and interact with information.

Early 21st Century

The AI Disruption

The rapid advancement of AI has sparked both excitement and concern in education. Teachers are reassessing their methods as AI tools challenge traditional approaches to writing, research, and problem-solving.

Emerging

The Hybrid Future

We're witnessing a return to discussion-based learning, now enhanced by technology. This 'flipped classroom' model combines online content, AI tools, and in-person debates, fostering critical thinking in the digital age.

From Research to Reality

Our research directly informs the products we build at we-think.