Contrasting human-AI workplace relationship configurations

Rapid and ongoing advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) allow organizations to employ AI agents for an increasing number of tasks in various contexts. In the face of these developments, humans are more frequently confronted with AI agents in a variety of relationships representing the augmentation and automation of human work. This has not only opened multi-disciplinary and societal debates surrounding the transformation and future of work but has also brought up various new terms and constructs. Drawing on established theoretical concepts such as agency, delegation, and collaboration, we seek to establish a common understanding of the most prominent human-AI relationships at the workplace. For this purpose, we introduce a framework that delineates these relationships and provides a conceptual foundation for future research.