Human Dependence on Machine Systems

Definition

Human Dependence on Machine Systems examines human dependence on machine systems within the broader domain of norms, roles, rights, control and long-term coevolution between humans and artificial agents.

Why this matters

Human Dependence on Machine Systems can materially affect human agency, capability, belonging, livelihoods, culture, trust, resilience and long-term societal outcomes.

Research questions

Under which conditions does human dependence on machine systems improve human and system outcomes, how do effects vary across populations and contexts, and what safeguards prevent dependency, exclusion, distortion or loss of agency?

Hypotheses

A transparent, participatory and human-directed approach to human dependence on machine systems, with explicit safeguards and longitudinal evaluation, will improve human control; trust calibration; dependency; cooperation; conflict; role clarity; safety; wellbeing compared with opaque, automation-first or short-term approaches.

Proposed methods

controlled human-agent studies; governance simulations; ethnography; dependency analysis; conflict games; longitudinal ecosystem observation; literature and policy review; expert and affected-user interviews; reproducibility testing; methods adapted specifically to Human Dependence on Machine Systems

Stakeholders and beneficiaries

governments; communities; employers; workers; unions; educators; infrastructure operators; emergency services; civil society; researchers; investors; technology providers