#BEAMThinking

A wave of AI-driven decision making is prompting a rethink of what it means to think. A recent expert-led analysis argues for “matter over mind”—a focus on body, environment, and action as sources of cognition. BEAM thinking reframes intelligence as distributed and enacted through movement and surroundings, not just neural processing.

BEAM thinking shifts away from the idea that the brain alone contains all intelligence. It emphasizes how bodily sensations, physical spaces, and purposeful actions influence thinking. This approach argues that AI cannot fully replicate embodied cognition, which underpins decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving in real life.

In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven decision-making, new research is calling for a renewed embrace of what it means to “think like a human.” According to ideas introduced in a recent Psychology Today article by a business professor and leadership expert, the mantra “matter over mind”—highlighting the critical role of our bodies, environment, and actions in cognition—should become central for individuals and workplaces striving to stay relevant and resilient in the digital age (Psychology Today).