An AI-generated sustainability report is ready to submit, but its carbon-offset figure may be wrong. A cognitive forcing function adds a deliberate pause to an automated task so the user evaluates the output before accepting it. Unlike friction removed for convenience, this friction aims to prevent passive acceptance and support calibrated trust. section 10.2.2
Choose an intervention that fits the decision:
- Prompt verification: flag a possible error and invite a source check. section 10.2.2
- Ask a challenge question: prompt the user to consider why a recommendation might fail. section 10.2.2
- Require review: have the user confirm high-impact figures before submission. section 10.2.2
- Add a brief delay: allow time to inspect proposed changes before finalizing. section 10.2.2
The goal is active engagement, not friction for its own sake: the interruption should draw attention to a decision or output worth checking. section 10.2.2
