An intelligent sociotechnical systems (iSTS) framework: Toward a sociotechnically-based hierarchical human-centered AI approach

Abstract

Insights: - The human-centered AI (HCAI) approach and the sociotechnical systems (STS) theory share the same goal: ensuring that new technologies such as AI best serve humans in a sociotechnical environment. - HCAI practice needs to fully embrace sociotechnical systems thinking, while traditional STS needs to evolve to address the emerging characteristics of AI technology. - We propose a conceptual framework for intelligent sociotechnical systems (iSTS) to enhance traditional STS theory in the AI era. - Based on iSTS, we further propose a sociotechnical-based hierarchical HCAI approach as a paradigmatic extension to existing HCAI practice, further advancing HCAI practice.