Human–Agent Interaction

This chapter examines the elements of successful human–automation interaction (HAI) from the perspective of joint activity theory, a generalization of Herbert Clark's work in linguistics. Joint activity theory highlights three major requirements for effective coordination: interpredictability, common ground, and directability. Common ground refers to the pertinent mutual knowledge, beliefs, and assumptions that support interdependent actions in the context of a given joint activity. The order needed for agents to engage in joint activity is typically implemented in terms of formalized social regulations. Directability refers to the capacity for deliberately assessing and modifying the actions of the other parties in a joint activity as conditions and priorities change. Roles can be thought of as ways of packaging rights and obligations that go along with the necessary parts that people play in joint activities. Planning mechanisms are generally deliberative, whereas policy mechanisms tend to be reactive.