Strengthening AI via ToM and MC dimensions

Theory of Mind (ToM) highlights the social-cognitive ability of the individual to communicate and interact effectively with the members of each social group. Essentially, it is the cornerstone of social knowledge that allows the recognition and understanding of the thoughts, intentions, and feelings of all involved, promoting social interaction and engagement. Metacognition (MC) is a higher mental ability of the biological mind and is characterized by the observation, control, evaluation, differentiation, and readjustment of the cognitive mechanism, aiming at its optimal performance and maintaining the homeostasis of mental, social, and emotional becoming of an organism. The rapid development of technology in recent decades has promoted the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) intertwined with the need to integrate ToM and MC capabilities, enriching human communication. This paper investigates how the above-described human cognitive functions are involved in the conception and development of an artificial agent and their influence on human society. The conclusions suggest the importance of being able to read beliefs, emotions, and other factors, but also introspection by an intelligent system for social benefit, including the necessary ethical constraints.