How does HCI Understand Human Autonomy and Agency?

TL;DR

This paper reviews 30 years of HCI research on human autonomy and agency, highlighting ambiguities, ethical issues, and future directions to improve conceptual clarity and interdisciplinary coordination.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of how autonomy and agency are understood in HCI, identifying open issues and proposing avenues for clearer, more integrated future research.

Findings

Identifies diverse and ambiguous understandings of autonomy and agency in HCI.

Highlights ethical concerns related to technology's influence on human control.

Suggests future research directions for conceptual clarity and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Abstract

Human agency and autonomy have always been fundamental concepts in HCI. New developments, including ubiquitous AI and the growing integration of technologies into our lives, make these issues ever pressing, as technologies increase their ability to influence our behaviours and values. However, in HCI understandings of autonomy and agency remain ambiguous. Both concepts are used to describe a wide range of phenomena pertaining to sense-of-control, material independence, and identity. It is unclear to what degree these understandings are compatible, and how they support the development of research programs and practical interventions. We address this by reviewing 30 years of HCI research on autonomy and agency to identify current understandings, open issues, and future directions. From this analysis, we identify ethical issues, and outline key themes to guide future work. We also articulate avenues for advancing clarity and specificity around these concepts, and for coordinating integrative work across different HCI communities.