Cecilia Heyes labels language a 'cognitive gadget' for precise social learning
Ever wonder if the way we chat actually shapes the way we think? It seems language gives our mental toolbox a boost, but it’s not the only thing doing the heavy lifting. Our brains benefit from words, yet the words aren’t the sole architects of cognition, that back-and-forth sits right in the middle of a lively debate sparked by recent social-learning studies.
On one side, the old view that language just mirrors thought feels pretty natural. On the other, a handful of scholars suggest it does a bit more, acting like a kind of shortcut for passing on knowledge faster and more accurately than any other channel we know. If that’s right, then everyday conversation turns into a surprisingly precise tool for cultural transmission.
I was struck by a recent take from cognitive scientist Cecilia Heyes, who calls language a “cognitive gadget” that lets humans learn from each other with extraordinary efficiency, fidelity and precision. Whether we’re right about that or not, the idea certainly makes me pause and listen a little closer to the words around me.
Understood this way, language is what the cognitive scientist Cecilia Heyes calls a "cognitive gadget" that "enables humans to learn from others with extraordinary efficiency, fidelity, and precision." Our cognition improves because of language -- but it's not created or defined by it. Take away our ability to speak, and we can still think, reason, form beliefs, fall in love, and move about the world; our range of what we can experience and think about remains vast. But take away language from a large language model, and you are left with literally nothing at all.
An AI enthusiast might argue that human-level intelligence doesn't need to necessarily function in the same way as human cognition. AI models have surpassed human performance in activities like chess using processes that differ from what we do, so perhaps they could become superintelligent through some unique method based on drawing correlations from training data. But there's no obvious reason to think we can get to general intelligence -- not improving narrowly defined tasks --through text-based training.
After all, humans possess all sorts of knowledge that is not easily encapsulated in linguistic data -- and if you doubt this, think about how you know how to ride a bike. In fact, within the AI research community there is growing awareness that LLMs are, in and of themselves, insufficient models of human intelligence.
Cecilia Heynes calls language a “cognitive gadget” - a tool that lets us pick up ideas from others with surprising speed and accuracy. She also points out that it’s our thinking that gets better because we have language, not the other way around. Across the tech world, the tone shifts.
Mark Zuckerberg has been saying that building superintelligence is finally within reach, hinting at creations we can’t even picture today. Dario Amodei goes further, suggesting a powerful AI could show up by 2026, maybe outsmarting Nobel laureates in most fields and even nudging human lifespans toward an “escape velocity” from death. Sam Altman adds that the industry now feels pretty sure it knows how to build AGI.
Those claims sit uneasily next to Heynes’ more cautious take on what language actually does. It’s still unclear whether any of the timelines or abilities will pan out - we haven’t seen independent verification yet. The contrast makes the gap between hype and the slower-moving science of cognition obvious.
As the conversation rolls on, we’re left to balance the excitement with the thin evidence on the table.
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Common Questions Answered
What does Cecilia Heyes mean by calling language a "cognitive gadget"?
She argues that language is a tool that enhances human social learning, allowing us to acquire knowledge from others with extraordinary efficiency, fidelity, and precision, while cognition itself remains independent of language.
According to the article, how does language affect human cognition?
The article states that language improves our cognitive abilities by providing a medium for precise social learning, but it does not create or define cognition; even without speech, we can still think, reason, and experience a wide range of mental states.
What predictions about future AI are mentioned alongside Heyes' theory?
The piece cites Mark Zuckerberg claiming that superintelligence development is now within reach, and Dario Amodei forecasting that powerful AI could emerge as early as 2026, potentially surpassing the intellect of Nobel laureates.
How does the concept of a "cognitive gadget" relate to social learning efficiency?
By labeling language a cognitive gadget, Heyes highlights that language enables humans to learn from others with extraordinary efficiency, fidelity, and precision, making social transmission of knowledge faster and more accurate than non‑linguistic mechanisms.