A proposal for an intelligent interface in man-machine systems

This paper addresses the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to the continuing human factors issue, man-machine interface. A concept of the operator's role in automated systems is presented and used as the context for developing a notional system architecture for an intelligent interface. Some of the human factors and AI research issues are discussed. It should be noted that I presented a similar paper at an AI conference in Rochester, Michigan, April 1983. With the exception of projects within the Army Research Institute and related work in the Applied Psychology Unit, Admiralty Research Establishment, U.K., I have seen no groundswell of research addressing the issues I raised 18 months ago. I am repeating and updating my "proposal" for a new research focus in hopes of stimulating an increasing awareness of critical gaps in our knowledge of how to take advantage of technological advances in man-machine systems.