The Algorithmic Psychologist: AI in Cognitive Abilities Testing

Dear Colleagues,

The editorial team of the Journal of Intelligence invites submissions for a Special Issue dedicated to exploring the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cognitive abilities testing and assessment. As AI systems become increasingly sophisticated and embedded in psychological measurement, this Special Issue aims to critically engage with how these technologies are influencing what we assess, how we assess it, whose interests are served, and what ethical responsibilities arise as a result.

This Special Issue welcomes diverse contributions from researchers, practitioners, developers, and ethicists working across disciplines such as psychology, education, neuroscience, data science, human–computer interaction, and AI ethics. We seek empirical studies, conceptual papers, technical advances, case studies, and critical analyses that investigate the design, implementation, and implications of AI-driven cognitive assessments.

We particularly encourage submissions that address ethical considerations such as bias and fairness in algorithmic decision-making, the transparency and explainability of AI models, data privacy and security, informed consent in digital assessments, and the accountability structures necessary when AI systems take on roles traditionally held by human experts. Ethical reflection is essential to ensure that AI innovations in cognitive assessment advance human well-being, promote equity, and avoid perpetuating or amplifying existing disparities.

By bringing together interdisciplinary voices, this Special Issue seeks to foster a thoughtful and balanced examination of both the promises and perils of AI in cognitive abilities testing. We invite you to contribute to this important dialogue and help shape a future where technological innovation is matched by ethical responsibility and social impact.

Suggested Topics

Authors may wish to consider the following themes, although submissions outside of these areas are also welcome if they align with the Special Issue’s scope:

• AI-enhanced cognitive test development and adaptive testing platforms;
• Machine learning models in cognitive data interpretation and prediction;
• Digital twins and personalized cognitive profiling;
• Fairness, bias, and transparency in algorithmic cognitive assessments;
• Ethics of AI as an assessor: consent, privacy, and accountability;
• Cross-cultural and linguistic implications of AI-based assessments;
• The role of AI in diagnosing neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorders;
• Human–AI collaboration in assessment settings;
• Comparative validity and reliability of AI-driven vs. traditional assessments;
• Regulatory and policy considerations in the use of AI in psychological testing.

Scope and Purpose

This Special Issue, “The Algorithmic Psychologist: AI in Cognitive Abilities Testing”, explores the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive assessment. As AI technologies increasingly permeate educational, clinical, and occupational settings, their integration into cognitive abilities testing raises critical questions—not only about validity, equity, and innovation, but also about the ethical frameworks that must guide these advances.

This Special Issue aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives—from psychology, neuroscience, education, computer science, and data ethics—to critically examine how AI is reshaping the design, administration, interpretation, and purpose of cognitive assessments. We invite contributions that address a wide range of topics, including but not limited to the following: AI-powered adaptive testing systems, the use of machine learning to analyze cognitive performance data, digital phenotyping and predictive modeling, bias and fairness in algorithmic assessment, and the implications of AI on test validity, reliability, and accessibility. We are especially interested in submissions that interrogate the ethical dimensions of these developments, including issues of transparency, accountability, explainability, data privacy, informed consent, and the potential for algorithmic harms.

We especially welcome empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, methodological innovations, and critical reviews that push the boundaries of current understanding and practice. Contributions may explore both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, including its potential to democratize assessment or, conversely, to reinforce existing disparities and inequities. Ethical considerations should not be treated as peripheral but as central to the responsible integration of AI, ensuring that innovations serve the well-being of individuals and communities, respect human dignity, and uphold social justice.

This Special Issue seeks to provoke thoughtful dialogue and responsible innovation in a field where technology increasingly acts not only as a tool but as a co-assessor. As AI takes on roles traditionally reserved for human experts, it is imperative to examine its ethical impact on how we define, measure, and support human cognitive potential. We encourage contributors to grapple with questions such as the following: Who is accountable when AI systems err? How do we ensure fairness across diverse populations? What ethical safeguards are needed when AI interprets sensitive cognitive data? Addressing these questions will help ensure that AI-driven assessments enhance—not undermine—the integrity and humanity of cognitive testing.

Prof. Dr. Joseph Kush
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Intelligence is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• artificial intelligence (AI)
• cognitive assessment
• machine learning
• psychological testing
• adaptive testing
• algorithmic bias
• digital psychometrics
• test validity and reliability
• human–AI interaction
• ethics in assessment