Human-Centered AI: Advancing Interaction

AI, when aligned with human needs and values, fosters continuous interaction to enhance human capabilities. This shift from technology-centered to human-centered AI signifies a pivotal change in our approach to artificial intelligence. We no longer inhabit a world dominated by technology, but rather a realm where technology harmonises with humanity to enrich our lives. AI is not an omnipotent entity, but a partner, working alongside us to enhance our daily experiences.

Our vision encompasses a future where technology is steered by human values (human-centered), aimed at enhancing our lives, simplifying services, and creating high-quality products. This transformation redefines the relationship between humans and machines, creating a stimulating and mutually beneficial exchange where AI evolves to serve users.

The Human-AI Relationship: a symbiotic and regulated path forward the potential of human-AI collaboration has been realised, particularly with the advent of Large Language Models like GPT and Bard. However, it has also become evident that AI is not yet mature enough to operate without supervision. This underscores the importance of fostering productive human-AI interactions to harness the potential of these new algorithms.

The European Union recognises this need and is set to enact the AI Act in 2025, designed to regulate AI and ensure responsible and safe development. The focus is on safeguarding individuals' fundamental rights and promoting fair and non-discriminatory use of AI, especially in high-risk areas like human-machine collaboration on the shop floor, digital twins, recruitment processes, employee evaluation, and critical infrastructure.

In this context, advanced human-machine interactions are crucial for addressing the reliability issues in certain AI models. The ultimate goal is to establish a continuous and symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.

The Human-Centered AI Approach: a human-centered approach to AI, fostering innovation through close collaboration across various practices, is essential. This approach encompasses refining user experiences, eliminating friction between AI and humans, and addressing technical aspects, including integration with technologies like blockchain.

Projects such as STAR, funded by the European Community, exemplify the development of effective AI-human integration solutions. AI's role becomes pivotal when it is explainable and accessible to everyone. User-explainable Artificial Intelligence empowers non-experts to understand, visualise, suggest, simulate, and interact seamlessly with AI.

In recent years, a new era has emerged, where humanity and technology no longer stand in opposition but engage in a synergistic ballet of progress and innovation. The goal is to create solutions where humans and machines engage in continuous dialogue, yielding extraordinary results.

This is not merely a human-centered AI approach; it's a journey toward a future where value creation is not only assured but also responsible. In this future, AI is not a feared monster but a valuable ally to be comprehended and harnessed.

By: Michele Canteri, Matteo Cardaioli / GFT Italia