Augmented Intelligence: Our Human Manifesto

In the discussion about Artificial Intelligence (AI), the focus is often on replacement. But, as I’ve said before, I believe the real gain is not in competition, but in collaboration. The key to the future of innovation lies in Augmented Intelligence, where we as humans take the lead over a powerful digital tool—or perhaps, our ally.

This is the principle of the Hybrid Superpower: a combination of human creation and machine computation is superior to each component individually.

I found out that research has been done on this in the chess world. Now, I’m no chess player at all, but I found the conclusion interesting: neither the human nor the machine alone was able to defeat the combination of the two. They gave this combination the mythical name Centaur.

We Are In Charge

We as humans are central as the initiator of creation and strategy. We know what the question or the raw thought is, and AI is the accelerator of our output, not the other way around. AI is the turbocharger on our own cognitive engine, ensuring we as humans remain in charge of starting the new mindset.

About this series – TECH × CREATIVE × MAKER Mental Spaces

Mental Spaces are thoughts taking shape on paper: mental zones to create, to imagine, or simply to be still. They offer space to think — for the maker, the artist, the designer — and for the technology observing alongside.

In this blog series, I reflect on the evolving relationship between humans and machines, on creativity as an interface, and on the act of making in a time when systems often seem smarter than we are.
These texts are not statements, but suggestions. Not answers, but openings.

For those navigating the tension field of TECH × CREATIVE × MAKER.

My New Credo: Topo-Illogical Intelligence

The machine is master of logic, computation, and existing structures (the ‘topology’). This leads to fast, but often incremental, solutions.

The human added value lies in our capacity for the radical, illogical leap—the sudden intuition, the unexpected synthesis, the question the data could not foresee.

It is logical that we must be illogical, because that is where we make the difference. The ability to consciously break the logic is the human key to true innovation.

For now, I call this capacity Topo-Illogical Intelligence.

The Analog-Digital Loop: A Proposed Method

We put this Topo-Illogical thinking into practice through a constant loop between human and machine. This cycle is our perspective and our working method:

• Analog (The Spark): The process begins with us. This is the raw thought, the ‘weird’ question, the illogical intuition. This is our human input that initiates the mindset.
• AI (The Logical Accelerator): We give the illogical input to the AI. The AI processes, analyzes, and tries to find logical structures within our creative leap. The AI exponentially accelerates our output as a result.
• Eye & Why (The Conscious Choice Moment): This is the most crucial point. We check the AI output with the gaze (Eye) for quality. Then, we pose the question (Why): Has the AI’s logical processing improved our illogical leap? This is the moment the perspective and working method are established.
• Try & Sky (Action & Impact): The validated idea is launched into the world (Try) to achieve the desired impact (Sky/Launch). This leads to a new course of action.
• Re-Analog (The Anchoring): The results of the action are absorbed by us. The new knowledge and learned lessons adjust our human intuition. The loop is closed, and the next iteration begins at a higher level of insight.

Why Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Remains Indispensable

The core of this loop is the indispensability of human intervention, also known as Human-in-the-Loop (HITL).

We transform AI from a threat into an opportunity by recognizing that AI, however powerful, lacks two vital human capacities:

• Intent and Illogic: AI is a logical machine. It cannot determine the starting point (the Topo-Illogical start) or the end goal (the Why) itself. Only we as humans can make the illogical leap and provide the strategic context.
• Critical Correction: AI is prone to errors. Our human Eye is the necessary quality control.

Final Thought

I see AI as a tool that amplifies our humanity. The AI accelerates the process, but we hold the steering wheel, deliver the topo-illogical spark, and close the loop to continuously improve ourselves and the technology.

Maarten Meijer — working from an Evolutionary Perspective.
A conceptual thinker who helps make sense of what is already unfolding, working at the intersection of systems, education, and technology.
I explore and articulate possible directions without fixing outcomes too early.
I shape space for reflection, orientation, and choice — so what wants to remain can develop further.

In daily life, I work as Program Manager EdTech Ecosystem at NOLAI (the National Education Lab for AI).