01 Designing Agentive Technology AI That Works for People 📚
Tags: #book #design #Christopher_noessel
- Christopher Noessel gave a talk on "agentive technology" at Google.
- Agentive technology refers to technology that is able to act on its own and make decisions.
- There is a history of caution towards technology and its ability to act independently.
- Examples of this caution include the myth of the sorcerer's apprentice and the Golem of Prague.
- Noessel discusses the concept of "autonomy" in technology.
- Autonomy in technology can improve user experience by allowing it to make decisions and take initiative.
- It is important to consider the ethical implications of such technology.
- Technology should be designed with a clear purpose and understanding of its limitations.
- User control and transparency are important in the design of agentive technology.
- Noessel identified a pattern in the design of technology that he calls the "autonomy spectrum."
- The autonomy spectrum ranges from fully autonomous to fully manual.
- Technology that is fully autonomous can take initiative and make decisions on its own.
- Technology that is fully manual requires explicit instructions from the user.
- Most technology falls somewhere in the middle of the autonomy spectrum.
- Noessel argues that the ideal location on the autonomy spectrum depends on the context and the task being performed.
- Technology that is too autonomous can be confusing and frustrating for users.
- Technology that is not autonomous enough can be tedious and time-consuming for users.
- Noessel presents the concept of "agentive interfaces" as a solution to this problem.
- Agentive interfaces are designed to balance autonomy and manual control.
- Agentive interfaces allow users to delegate tasks to the technology and give it some autonomy.
- At the same time, users retain control and can override the technology if necessary.
- Noessel gives the example of the GetNarrative camera as an example of an agentive interface.
- The GetNarrative camera takes photos automatically, but allows users to delete unwanted photos and add captions.
- Noessel also discusses the concept of "proactivity" in technology.
- Proactive technology anticipates the needs of the user and takes initiative to meet those needs.
- Noessel gives the example of the Nest thermostat as an example of proactive technology.
- The Nest thermostat learns the temperature preferences of the user and adjusts the temperature accordingly.
- Proactive technology can be useful in reducing the cognitive load on the user.
- However, it is important to consider the potential consequences of proactive technology.
- Proactive technology can intrude on the privacy of the user.
- It is important to design proactive technology with user control and transparency in mind.
- Noessel discusses the concept of "agency" in technology.
- Agency refers to the ability of the technology to act on behalf of the user.
- Noessel gives the example of the Google Assistant as an example of technology with agency.
- The Google Assistant can perform tasks and make decisions on behalf of the user.
- Agency in technology can be useful in reducing the workload of the user.
- However, it is important to consider the potential consequences of technology with agency.
- Technology with agency can be used to manipulate or deceive the user.
- It is important to design technology with agency with user control and transparency in mind.
- Noessel concludes by discussing the importance of considering the ethical implications of agentive technology.
Source: https://youtu.be/cciGZ3BsLwA