Progressive intensity of human-technology teaming

Abstract

Human-technology combination is normally conceptualized on a bi-polar dimension from no technical autonomy to full technical autonomy, and consequently from full human control to no human control. This paper presents an alternative scale for describing levels of human-technology teaming. It assumes complementarity of humans and technology. Humans and technology are considered to remain qualitatively different in spite of new technical capabilities. When combined smartly, they are able to mutually compensate for weaknesses and to mutually reinforce strengths. On the proposed scale, both full human control as well as full technical autonomy are on the lowest level, as there is no teaming at all. Higher levels represent an increasing intensity of teaming ranging from (i) technology informs the human, via (ii) human and technology influence each other to (iii) true human-technology collaboration that allows for shared control. These levels are described and substantiated in the paper.