Tag Vocabulary

Human Created · Created: 2026-03-11 · History

This file is the single source of truth for tags. Before adding a tag to any article, check here first.

Rules

Use existing tags — never invent a new tag when an existing one covers the concept
Lowercase kebab-case only — human-ai-collaboration, never HumanAI or Human AI
3–8 tags per article — prefer specificity over breadth
To add a new tag — add it here first with a description and example use, then apply it
Synonyms are forbidden — if two tags mean the same thing, retire one and note the canonical form

Tag	Meaning	Do NOT use instead
`ai-tools`	General-purpose AI software tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) used in professional work	`ai`, `generative-ai` for tool-specific contexts
`generative-ai`	Generative AI as a technology category, capability, or paradigm	`ai` (too broad), `ai-tools` (too specific)
`ai-agents`	Autonomous or semi-autonomous AI systems acting on behalf of users	`automation`, `agents`
`prompt-engineering`	The practice of crafting prompts as design material	`prompting`
`context-engineering`	Designing, maintaining, and reusing context across AI sessions	`context-management`
`automation`	Workflow automation and task scripting, not AI-specific reasoning	`ai-agents` (if the automation is agentic)

Tag	Meaning	Do NOT use instead
`cognitive-augmentation`	AI use that expands human thinking capacity	`cognitive-offloading` (the opposite risk)
`cognition`	Human cognitive processes broadly — memory, attention, reasoning	`critical-thinking` (more specific)
`critical-thinking`	Specifically the capacity for evaluative, analytical reasoning	`cognition`
`extended-mind`	Cognitive extension through external tools (Clark & Chalmers)	`cognitive-augmentation`
`learning`	Education, skill development, and knowledge acquisition	`cognition`
`epistemology`	Theory of knowledge — what we can know and how	`philosophy` (unless broader)

Tag	Meaning	Do NOT use instead
`human-ai-collaboration`	The practice and dynamics of humans and AI working together	`symbiosis` (more specific), `ai-tools` (too tool-centric)
`symbiosis`	Specifically the question of whether human-AI collaboration is mutually beneficial vs corrosive	`human-ai-collaboration`
`intent`	Intent specification, intent-driven design, intent hierarchies	`goals`, `purpose`

Tag	Meaning	Do NOT use instead
`knowledge-work`	Professional roles defined by information processing — designers, POs, strategists	`professional-practice`
`systemic-design`	Double-diamond, service design, and systems thinking practice	`design` (too broad), `ux` (too narrow)
`ux`	User experience design specifically — research, flows, interfaces	`systemic-design`
`product-strategy`	Product ownership, backlog, roadmap, prioritisation	`strategy` (unless broader strategic thinking)
`oversight`	The invisible management labor of reviewing, auditing, and governing AI output	`management`, `governance`
`strategy`	Strategic planning and big-picture direction-setting	`product-strategy` (if product-specific)
`creativity`	Creative processes, inspiration, originality in professional work	`design`

Tag	Meaning	Do NOT use instead
`research`	Research methodology and practice	`knowledge-work`
`research-gap`	Structural gaps, unknowable questions, or under-explored areas	`measurement`
`measurement`	Evaluation methods and metrics	`evaluation`
`evaluation`	Assessment of quality, performance, or value	`measurement` (prefer `evaluation` for qualitative, `measurement` for quantitative)

Tag	Meaning
`essay`	Long-form reflective or argumentative piece (human-authored)
`philosophy`	Philosophical inquiry not covered by `epistemology` or domain-specific tags

Tag	Meaning	Notes
`aida`	The AIDA concept (AI-Driven Inquiry Architecture)	Specific to one article currently
`summaries`	AI-generated summaries as a practice or tool
`generative-ai`	Already listed above
`extended-cognition`	Synonym risk: prefer `extended-mind`	Retire in favour of `extended-mind`

Before adding a new tag to an article, ask:

If all three checks pass, add the tag to this file first (with description and Do NOT use column), then apply it.

When a tag appears on 5+ articles, consider creating a controlled vocabulary entry:

If it’s a defined term → create obsidian/concepts/[tag].md
If it’s a major subject area → create obsidian/topics/[tag].md
Then populate the concepts or topics frontmatter arrays on relevant articles