Complex task decomposition: Tree of Thought

Play with AI thinking like a LEGO

Today I will take you to unlock a magical skill that will allow AI to evolve from a "single-celled creature" to a "octopus thinker" - Tree of Thought. Ready? We are going to start planting trees!

Why does AI need to "fork thinking"? (Evolution from single thread to multi-threaded)

Imagine: letting AI plan a wedding is like letting straight men choose lipsticks—either all red or death Barbie fans. Traditional AI thinks like an old-fashioned green train, which only runs along fixed tracks:

Classic car overturn scene
Task: Design a proposal plan for programmers
Normal AI output:

1. Write code to confess (for(int i=0;i<forever;i++) love++)
2. Submit a Marriage PR on GitHub
3. Write love letters in binary (01101001 00100000 01101100)

And the AI ​​in ToT mode will expand the thinking branch like an open-screen peacock:

┌──Technical flow: heartbeat monitoring of wearable devices
            ├──Literary School: Customized open source love novels
 Marriage proposal plan┤ ┌─Customization of keyboard proposal keys
            ├──Equipment Department┤
            │ └―Glowing mechanical ring
            └──Play the proposal pop-up window when pretending to be a system bug

Three great artifacts for building a thinking tree (Golden Rules of Branch Design)

Artifact 1: MECE splitting method—as clear as if tidying up a wardrobe

in principle: Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive

Case: Design smart home solutions

┌──Security system (face recognition + hazard alarm)
         ├──Environmental regulation (temperature and humidity + air quality)
 Home Tree┤ ┌─Voice Control Ecology
         ├──Interactive System┤
         │ └─Gesturing Recognition System
         └──Energy-saving mode (intelligent adjustment with radio peak)

Artifact 2: Onion Structure - The Joy of Layer Dissection

Encountering an epic task like "helping my mother choose a smartphone":

┌─Demand analysis: 80% of taking photos, 15% of WeChat, 5% of other
             ├─Price filter: 2000-3000 yuan
 Machine Selection Guide─┤ ┌─OPPO Reno Series
             ├─Model comparison┤
             │ └─vivo S series
             └─Pipe prevention guide: Reject offline store package traps

Artifact 3: Parallel Universe - Explore N possibilities at the same time

When dealing with sensitive issues such as "office politics":

┌─Middles: Regular afternoon tea to promote exchanges
 Solution path┤─Reform: Anonymous suggestion box + department rotation
         └─Black-hearted: Installing emotions monitors in water dispensers

Installing AI quality inspector: anti-duty verification system

Soul torture template

"Please check the following three aspects:

1. Physical feasibility (such as letting people breathe underwater)
2. Social acceptance (such as suggesting that the boss take the lead in fishing)
3. Cost rationality (such as using aerospace materials to make cat nests)
   Please use emoji to mark the problem: 💡Normal /⚠️Warning /❌Fatal"

Practical inspection：
AI proposal: "Solve subway congestion - install folding wings for passengers"
Verification Feedback:
⚠️ Physical feasibility: 3 meters of space is required for wings to spread
❌ Social acceptance: May cause air traffic accidents
💡 Improvement suggestions: Change to off-peak travel points reward system

Time-returning technique: Let AI learn to "repent chess"

Five major backtracking scene instructions

Scene Type	Typical performance	Resolve password
dead end	Recommended internet celebrity restaurants that have gone bankrupt	"Back to the third step to re-search"
Budget overspending	Crystal chandeliers suddenly appeared in the decoration plan	"Return to the budget node to start plan B"
Logical contradiction	Save money first and recommend overseas travel	"Detection of path conflicts, start cross-validation"
New Information	I found that the user was allergic to seafood	"Insert Emergency Branch"
A sudden whim	AI has come up with better solutions	"Allowing temporary opening of new paths"

Classic Case：
Initial plan: weekend self-driving tour

Route planning → B&B reservation → Attraction guide

Retracement after sudden heavy rain warning:
"Weather abnormality detected"
Return to the "Travel Method" node
Activate Plan B:

┌─Indoor script kill
 Alternative plan┤─Museum tour
            └─Family E-sports Competition

From theory to practice: step-by-step teaching

Case 1: A guide to the survival of contemporary youth—order takeaway

Bronze Player: "Whatever" → Open the APP → Difficulty in choosing → Dizzy in hunger
King of Operation：

┌─Nutrition test: protein ≥20g
 Dried rice tree┤─Cost-performance ratio: actual payment≤30 yuan
         └─Time Management: Expected delivery < Countdown to cardiac arrest

Case 2: The Century’s Dilemma: “What to eat tonight”

Traditional solution: Hotpot → Barbecue → Final Noodle Pork
ToT solution：

┌─Nutrition: Dietary fiber + high-quality protein
 Decision tree┤─Lazy value: Cooking time <15 minutes
         └─Sentences: Mom’s food reproduction plan

Case 3: Family annual travel planning

Disaster scene：
Dad wants to fish, mom wants to shop, and kids want to playground
ToT rescue：

┌─Geographical dolls: Find a lakeside recreation area with shopping malls
         ├─Time magic: morning fishing → afternoon shopping → evening fun
 Solution┤─Equipment Fusion: Fishing rod shaped selfie rod
         └─The ultimate kill: 2 hours of action separate + family dinner

Pit prevention guide: Don’t step on these minefields

1. Over-split mad demon
   Break "buying milk tea" into 137 steps:
   × Analysis of the molecular structure of sugar → Study the fluid mechanics of pipettes
   √ The three core elements: variety → sweetness → feed

2. Late path dependency
   I found a better solution but didn't dare to modify the original tree:
   × Stick to using outdated strategies
   √ Set "brain switch": ask regularly "Is it more fun?"

3. Verify obsessive-compulsive disorder
   Each step requires absolutely correctness:
   × Confirm the milk tea shop clerk's zodiac sign before placing an order
   √ Just set up a checkpoint on a key node