Tools for Thought
Better thinking through AI
A People-Centric AI Project
At CHI2025, we’re presenting four new research papers and cohosting a Tools for Thought workshop, that dives deep into the intersection of AI and human cognition.
Read our blog post summary
The Future of AI in Knowledge Work: Tools for Thought at CHI 2025 – Microsoft Research
CHI2025 Papers
- The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking: Self-Reported Reductions in Cognitive Effort and Confidence Effects From a Survey of Knowledge Workers – Microsoft Research
- AI, Help Me Think—but for Myself: Assisting People in Complex Decision-Making by Providing Different Kinds of Cognitive Support – Microsoft Research
- Are We On Track? AI-Assisted Active and Passive Goal Reflection During Meetings – Microsoft Research
- YES AND: A Generative AI Multi-Agent Framework for Enhancing Diversity of Thought in Individual Ideation for Problem-Solving Through Confidence-Based Agent Turn-Taking – Microsoft Research
People
The Tools for Thought team is interdisciplinary, mixing experts in social science, computer science, engineering, and design. The team is co-lead by Richard Banks and Sean Rintel.
Members
Sean Rintel
Senior Principal Research Manager
Richard Banks
Principal Design Manager
Advait Sarkar
Senior Researcher
Pratik Ghosh
Senior Research Designer
Martin Grayson
Principal Research Software Development Engineer
Britta Burlin
Principal Design Manager
Lev Tankelevitch
Senior Researcher
Payod Panda
Design Engineering Researcher
Viktor Kewenig
Cognitive Science Researcher
Collaborators
Abigail Sellen
VP/Distinguished Scientist
Siân Lindley
Senior Principal Research Manager
Jack Williams
Senior Researcher
Christian Poelitz
Senior Research Engineer
Jake Hofman
Senior Principal Researcher
Jenn Wortman Vaughan
Senior Principal Research Manager
Past Contributors
Xinyue Chen
Past Intern
Emily Doherty
Past Intern
Ian Drosos
Past Resident
Gonzalo Ramos
Past Researcher
Ava Scott
Past Intern
Rishi Vanukuru
Past Intern