When thinking about how humans plan multi-step actions in complicated settings, it’s helpful to think of our minds as expert strategists that use mental shortcuts—heuristics—and clever ways to reduce the mental load. We’re constantly balancing the desire to find the perfect solution with the reality of limited mental resources. Researchers are now exploring these mental strategies using computational models, which simulate how our brains might search through a tree of potential solutions, weighing different paths and outcomes. This approach helps us understand why sometimes we make quick, instinctive decisions, while other times we meticulously analyze every option.
How do we really plan so well in complex and unpredictable environments?
Imagine trying to plan your day in the midst of a busy schedule. You might start by considering a few obvious options—grab coffee, check your emails, or make a phone call. But as the day unfolds, you begin to explore more possibilities—perhaps shifting plans or adjusting based on new information. Our brain works similarly when engaged in complex planning tasks like playing chess or strategizing in a game of four-in-a-row. These activities require envisioning future states and making decisions that will pay off many moves down the line.
Scientists are studying the mental “algorithms” that enable us to handle such tasks. Some models suggest that our minds don’t do an exhaustive search through every possible sequence—doing so would be impossible given our mental limits. Instead, we rely on heuristics—rules of thumb—that help us prune unnecessary options quickly. For example, we might focus only on promising moves and ignore less likely ones, enabling us to make good decisions without getting bogged down in the details. These strategies are not just mental shortcuts; they reflect a kind of efficient navigation through a vast landscape of potential solutions.
Interestingly, recent advances in artificial intelligence offer new insights into human planning. AI systems have become remarkably good at solving complex problems like chess or strategic planning, often by searching through large trees of possibilities. These systems are designed to optimize the search process, reducing computational costs while still finding strong solutions. By comparing AI’s methods to how humans approach planning, researchers are uncovering shared principles and differences, which deepens our understanding of human decision-making and the limits of our mental capacity.
This research has practical implications for everything from improving decision-making in high-stakes environments to developing smarter AI that can better mimic human reasoning. Whether it’s a professional chess player contemplating a move or a person navigating a tricky social situation, understanding the algorithms behind planning helps us appreciate the remarkable flexibility and sophistication of human thought. It also invites us to reflect on how we might sharpen our own mental strategies for tackling complex problems in everyday life.
How human planning resembles AI algorithms in complex decision-making tasks
By exploring the computational mechanisms that underpin our ability to plan many steps into the future, we gain a richer picture of human cognition. We see that our minds are not just random thought streams but are guided by efficient, adaptive algorithms—some learned, some innate—that help us navigate the maze of choices we face daily. As AI continues to evolve, it offers a mirror to our own mental processes, revealing the elegant strategies we use to solve problems and make decisions that matter. This ongoing dialogue between human cognition and artificial intelligence promises to unlock new ways for us to understand ourselves and enhance our decision-making skills.
Feeling curious about how your brain tackles complex decisions or how artificial intelligence is helping us understand human planning? Recognizing the algorithms that shape our thinking can empower us to make better choices and develop smarter tools for the future.
Learn More: Looking deeper into the algorithms underlying human planning
Abstract: Humans possess a remarkable ability to form sophisticated multi-step plans even in complex environments. In this review article, we consider efforts that attempt to characterize the mechanisms underlying human planning using a computational framework, primarily focusing on methods that search a tree of possible solutions. These studies range from experimental probes for heuristics that people employ while thinking ahead to normative models for reducing the computational costs of planning. Additionally, we examine the recent successes of artificial intelligence in the domain of planning and how these innovations can be applied to better understand human sequential decision-making. As examples, we highlight this approach in two tasks that require planning many steps into the future, namely 4-in-a-row and chess.
Link: https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(25)00152-4?rss=yes
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.
