AI as a Team Member: Redefining Collaboration

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the nature of teamwork, leading to the emergence of human‐agent teams across various domains. From cognitive assistants supporting astronauts to AI‐driven automation in autonomous vehicles, AI is increasingly integrated as an active team member rather than a passive tool. The current paper explores the distinctions between human‐human, agent‐agent, and human‐agent teams, providing insights into the roles AI can assume within collaborative environments. We examine established teamwork models, such as Shared Mental Model (SMM) and Co‐Active Design, and present a human‐AI team framework to understand how AI can effectively enhance joint activity, communication, and decision‐making within teams. Additionally, the paper identifies current challenges with integrating AI into human‐agent teams, including the lack of adaptive teamwork models and engineering limitations. By addressing these challenges and leveraging structured frameworks, organizations can optimize AI‐human collaboration, fostering high‐performance teams capable of excelling in complex, dynamic work environments.