Transitioning to Human Interaction with AI Systems: New Challenges and Opportunities for HCI Professionals to Enable Human-Centered AI

Abstract

While AI has benefited humans, it may also harm humans if not appropriately developed. The priority of current HCI work should focus on transiting from conventional human interaction with non-AI computing systems to interaction with AI systems. We conducted a high-level literature review and a holistic analysis of current work in developing AI systems from an HCI perspective. Our review and analysis highlight the new changes introduced by AI technology and the new challenges that HCI professionals face when applying the human-centered AI (HCAI) approach in the development of AI systems. We also identified seven main issues in human interaction with AI systems, which HCI professionals did not encounter when developing non-AI computing systems. To further enable the implementation of the HCAI approach, we identified new HCI opportunities tied to specific HCAI-driven design goals to guide HCI professionals addressing these new issues. Finally, our assessment of current HCI methods shows the limitations of these methods in support of developing HCAI systems. We propose the alternative methods that can help overcome these limitations and effectively help HCI professionals apply the HCAI approach to the development of AI systems. We also offer strategic recommendation for HCI professionals to effectively influence the development of AI systems with the HCAI approach, eventually developing HCAI systems.

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the insightful comments from Professor Ben Shneiderman and four anonymous reviewers on an earlier draft of this article. These insights have significantly improved the quality of this article. Any opinion herein is those of the authors and does not reflect the views of any other individuals or corporation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wei Xu

Wei Xu received his Ph.D. in Psychology with specialization in HCI/Human Factors and his M.S. in Computer Science from Miami University in 1997. He is a Professor of HCI/Human Factors at the Center for Psychological Sciences of Zhejiang University, China. His research interests include human-AI interaction, HCI, and aviation human factors.

Marvin J. Dainoff

Marvin J. Dainoff received his Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Rochester in 1969. He is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology/Human Factors at Miami University. He is a Past President of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. His research interests include sociotechnical system solutions for complex systems, human-computer interaction, and workplace ergonomics.

Liezhong Ge

Liezhong Ge received his Ph.D. in Psychology with specialization in human factors from Zhejiang University, China, in 1992. He is a Professor of HCI/Human Factors at the Center for Psychological Sciences of Zhejiang University. His research interests include human-computer interaction, user experience, and facial recognition.

Zaifeng Gao

Zaifeng Gao received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Zhejiang University, China, in 2009. He is a Professor of Psychology/Human Factors at the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University. His research interests include engineering psychology, autonomous driving, and cognitive psychology.