Automation in Human-Machine Networks: How Increasing Machine Agency Affects Human Agency

TL;DR

This paper explores how increasing machine agency through automation impacts human actors in networks, showing that automation can enhance human agency by sharing responsibilities and enabling innovation.

Contribution

It provides empirical case study evidence on how automation influences human agency in complex human-machine networks.

Findings

Automation can strengthen human agency via responsibility sharing.

Increased machine agency facilitates task allocation and innovation.

Case studies span air traffic, crisis management, and crowd evacuation.

Abstract

Efficient human-machine networks require productive interaction between human and machine actors. In this study, we address how a strengthening of machine agency, for example through increasing levels of automation, affect the human actors of the networks. Findings from case studies within air traffic management, crisis management, and crowd evacuation are presented, exemplifying how automation may strengthen the agency of human actors in the network through responsibility sharing and task allocation, and serve as a needed prerequisite of innovation and change.