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Computers and chess masters: The role of AI in transforming elite human performance.

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Title: Computers and chess masters: The role of AI in transforming elite human performance.
Authors: Bilalić, Merim (AUTHOR), Graf, Mario (AUTHOR), Vaci, Nemanja (AUTHOR)
Source: British Journal of Psychology. May2026, Vol. 117 Issue 2, p585-609. 25p.
Subjects: Internet access, Artificial intelligence, Probability theory, Decision making, Age distribution, Descriptive statistics, Games, Longitudinal method, Deep learning, Data analysis software, Time, Cognition, Regression analysis
Abstract: Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made significant strides in recent years, often supplementing rather than replacing human performance. The extent of their assistance at the highest levels of human performance remains unclear. We analyse over 11.6 million decisions of elite chess players, a domain commonly used as a testbed for AI and psychology due to its complexity and objective assessment. We investigated the impact of two AI chess revolutions: the first in the late 1990s with the rise of powerful PCs and internet access and the second in the late 2010s with deep learning‐powered chess engines. The rate of human improvement mirrored AI advancements, but contrary to expectations, the quality of decisions mostly improved steadily over four decades, irrespective of age, with no distinct periods of rapid improvement. Only the youngest top players saw marked gains in the late 1990s, likely due to better access to knowledge and computers. Surprisingly, the recent wave of neural network‐powered engines has not significantly impacted the best players – at least, not yet. Our research highlights AI's potential to enhance human capability in complex tasks, given the right conditions, even among the most elite performers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of British Journal of Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Computers and chess masters: The role of AI in transforming elite human performance.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bilalić%2C+Merim%22">Bilalić, Merim</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Graf%2C+Mario%22">Graf, Mario</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vaci%2C+Nemanja%22">Vaci, Nemanja</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet+access%22">Internet access</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Probability+theory%22">Probability theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+making%22">Decision making</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Age+distribution%22">Age distribution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Descriptive+statistics%22">Descriptive statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Games%22">Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Longitudinal+method%22">Longitudinal method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Deep+learning%22">Deep learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+analysis+software%22">Data analysis software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time%22">Time</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognition%22">Cognition</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Regression+analysis%22">Regression analysis</searchLink>
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  Data: Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made significant strides in recent years, often supplementing rather than replacing human performance. The extent of their assistance at the highest levels of human performance remains unclear. We analyse over 11.6 million decisions of elite chess players, a domain commonly used as a testbed for AI and psychology due to its complexity and objective assessment. We investigated the impact of two AI chess revolutions: the first in the late 1990s with the rise of powerful PCs and internet access and the second in the late 2010s with deep learning‐powered chess engines. The rate of human improvement mirrored AI advancements, but contrary to expectations, the quality of decisions mostly improved steadily over four decades, irrespective of age, with no distinct periods of rapid improvement. Only the youngest top players saw marked gains in the late 1990s, likely due to better access to knowledge and computers. Surprisingly, the recent wave of neural network‐powered engines has not significantly impacted the best players – at least, not yet. Our research highlights AI's potential to enhance human capability in complex tasks, given the right conditions, even among the most elite performers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of British Journal of Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192785885
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1111/bjop.12750
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Internet access
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence
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      – SubjectFull: Probability theory
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      – SubjectFull: Decision making
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      – SubjectFull: Age distribution
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      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Games
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      – SubjectFull: Longitudinal method
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      – SubjectFull: Deep learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
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      – SubjectFull: Time
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      – SubjectFull: Cognition
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      – SubjectFull: Regression analysis
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Computers and chess masters: The role of AI in transforming elite human performance.
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            NameFull: Bilalić, Merim
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              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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