What is human-factored AI?
I am coining a new term: human-factored AI.
Human factored AI is the thoughtful integration of human factors to AI-enabled systems
First, what are human-factors?
Human factors (or human factors engineering) pertains to optimising the completion of tasks by people or organisations, taking into account the tools and systems used to perform these tasks. A primary goal of human factors is to optimise both human well-being and task performance.
The results of human factors are all around us. Ergonomic office chairs, door handles, pedestrian crosswalks, vending machines, etc. In some ways, it’s more readily apparent in the physical world, where good human factors ensure ease of use and safety. However, it is also pervasive in the digital world, such as your email client, the interface of an ATM or most smartphone applications. Human factors also impact how we transition from an older technology to a newer one.
How is human-factored AI different?
Human-factored AI is the application of human factors to AI-enabled systems. There are two important traits that warrant a distinction from traditional human factors
- The speed of development and distribution of AI systems.
- The non-deterministic behaviours and output of AI systems.
Isn’t that just human-centred AI?
Not really. The term human-centred AI has been diluted to great extent in recent years, and any specific meaning has since been eroded. Even if it had maintained a more precise meaning, the term implies the will and conscience of a user or human. However, human factors readily impact humans at a subliminal or imperceptible level.
So where do we go from here? I’m not sure, but I’m working on it.