Scribe Tree Writer — AI as Thinking Partner
Transforming AI from Answer Machine to Socratic Partner
Prototype enforcing Socratic, bounded enhancement to strengthen thinking rather than replace it.
Situation
AI tools like ChatGPT risk creating an illusion of knowledge — polished outputs that weaken critical thinking. Educators and students face a hidden crisis: over-reliance leading to dependency.
Task
I designed Scribe Tree Writer to test a new philosophy: Bounded Enhancement for Learning. The system constrains AI into being a Socratic partner, guiding thought instead of replacing it.
Action
Architected a full-stack prototype (React, TypeScript, Python, PostgreSQL). Designed AI responses to ask questions, not give answers. Introduced reflection gates: students must articulate thinking before receiving guidance. Built adaptive levels of support — deeper reflection unlocked more nuanced questioning. Made learning visible by logging intellectual growth, not just outputs.
Result
The result: a working model for AI that strengthens, not weakens, human cognition. It attracted educator interest for pilot studies and was published as an open framework for collaboration.