A formal definition and meta-model for a machine theory of mind
For AI researchers, this formalization clarifies a vague concept and could guide future work, but it is primarily a conceptual contribution without empirical validation.
The paper provides the first rigorous formal definition of Machine Theory of Mind, grounded in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and proposes a holistic meta-model. It uses this framework to evaluate current approaches and outline a research agenda.
This paper proposes, for the first time, a rigorous formal definition of the concept of Machine Theory of Mind, based on principles supported by evidence from cognitive psychology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, and uses the above as a lens to examine state-of-the-art and current efforts in the field, driving a potential agenda for further research there able to "crack" the problem. It also advances a general holistic meta-model for Machine Theory of Mind, and examines the state of the art when it comes to empirically benchmarking such models.