Shift and Blend

Abstract

In the context of human-agent interaction, we see the emergence of computational artefacts that display hybridity because they can be experienced as tools and agents. In this paper we propose a tool-agent spectrum as an analytical lens that uses 'intention' as a central concept. This spectrum aims to clarify how a computational object can change from being conducive to the intentions of others ('tool') to appearing to have intentions of its own ('agent'), or vice versa. We have applied this analytical lens to unravel people's experiences in two hybrid cases; guide dogs as a living mobility aid for the visually impaired and an experimental wearable object named "BagSight" as a rudimentary artificial counterpart. We compared both cases through the lens of a toolagent spectrum and elaborate on these results by discussing some of the principles by which computational artefacts can shift across the spectrum. We conclude by discussing the limitations of this study and provide suggestions for future work.

Interacting with autonomous systems and intelligent algorithms – new theoretical considerations on the relation of understanding and trust

“…With these co-operative systems, it is, however, often impossible to scrutinise what part of a decision has been taken by the technology and what part by the human, as decisions are increasingly taken by the interactions of humans and technologies in conjunction. This unified decision making of humans with computer artifacts that shift from tool to agent has been aptly described as "hybrid intelligence" and "federated social cognitive systems" (Akata et al, 2020;Rozendaal et al, 2020)rendering it difficult for human users to adequately perceive to what degree agency lies with the machine and to what degree they are able to assert control.…”

“…Nowadays, the question of whether technology can (objectively) be an agent in the sense as defined by Bandura (2006) has been answered in the affirmative. It has been stated that technology no longer purely serves as a tool but can increasingly be likened to an agent (Akata et al, 2020;Rozendaal et al, 2020). Along similar lines, other concepts refer to technology increasingly exhibiting control (Shneiderman, 2020) or engaging in proactivity (Isbell & Pierce, 2005).…”