Cognitome Theory: Meaning as a Structural Object in the Era of Semantic Outsourcing

Abstract: Recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed artificial intelligence systems from one-off content generation tools into persistent participants in human knowledge production and cognitive practice. In contemporary usage, semantic outputs are no longer confined to isolated dialogues or tasks; instead, they are stored, reloaded, recomposed, and repeatedly invoked across contexts. This shift indicates the emergence of semantic outsourcing as an increasingly routine practice. However, existing analytical frameworks still lack a mid-level unit capable of directly describing how meaning operates across human and artificial systems. This paper introduces Cognitome Theory as a structural framework designed to address this gap. Within this theory, meaning is defined as a structural outcome that can be produced, preserved, transferred, and reprocessed, rather than as a psychological state or a truth-evaluable proposition. To avoid conflating semantic products with cognitive subjectivity, the paper distinguishes between Cognitome Entities (CEs) and Meaning Structures (MSs). CEs are defined as minimal cognitive units capable of encoding and decoding meaning structures and generating relational semantic responses, while MSs are semantic artifacts that can exist independently of their producers and be repeatedly processed by multiple CEs. This distinction enables cross-system semantic interaction to be described without invoking assumptions about consciousness, intention, or subjectivity. The paper further proposes the C-Layer model as a descriptive lens for analyzing interaction depth between humans and artificial systems. The model differentiates levels of interaction ranging from semantic co-existence to structural co-construction, characterizing degrees of collaboration at the level of meaning structures rather than inferring internal mental states. Overall, this work establishes a foundational analytical framework in response to an emerging technical reality: semantic production is no longer transient, but persistently externalized within artificial systems and repeatedly reused over time. Rather than redefining the nature of intelligence, Cognitome Theory provides an operational basis for analyzing semantic continuity, risk, and responsibility in highly automated semantic environments. Note on Version 1.1: This version (V1.1, January 2026) provides a refined structural framework for Cognitome Theory, emphasizing the distinction between Cognitome Entities (CEs) and Meaning Structures (MSs). It specifically addresses the challenges of semantic outsourcing in the era of Large Language Models (LLMs). Key Concepts: Cognitome Theory: A structural approach to understanding meaning as a transferable object. Meaning Structure (MS): Semantic artifacts that exist independently of their producers. Cognitome Entity (CE): Minimal cognitive units capable of encoding and decoding MSs. Terminological Note: The term "Cognitome" in this paper is a self-contained theoretical concept. In the author's parallel Chinese-language research, this is referred to as "智格" (Zhì Gé).