When humans using the IT artifact becomes IT using the human artifact

Following Demetis & Lee (2016) who showed how systems theorizing can be conducted on the basis of a few systems principles, in this conceptual paper, we apply these principles to theorize about the systemic character of technology and investigate the role reversal in the relationship between humans and technology. By applying systems-theoretical requirements outlined by Demetis & Lee, we examine conditions for the systemic character of technology and, based on our theoretical discussion, we argue that humans can now be considered artifacts shaped and used by the (system of) technology rather than vice versa. We argue that the role reversal has considerable implications for the field of information systems that has thus far focused only on the use of the IT artifact by humans. We illustrate these ideas with empirical material from a well-known case from the financial markets: the collapse (“Flash Crash”) of the Dow Jones Industrial Average

When Humans Using the IT Artifact Becomes IT Using the Human Artifact

Following Lee & Demetis [20] who showed how systems theorizing can be conducted on the basis of a few systems principles, in this paper, we apply these principles to theorize about the systemic character of technology and investigate the role-reversal in the relationship between humans and technology. By applying systems-theoretical requirements outlined by Lee & Demetis, we examine conditions for the systemic character of technology and, based on our theoretical discussion, we argue that humans can now be considered artifacts shaped and used by the (system of) technology rather than vice versa. We argue that the role-reversal has considerable implications for the field of information systems that has thus far focused only on the use of the IT artifact by humans. We illustrate these ideas with empirical material from a well known case from the financial markets: the collapse (“Flash Crash”) of the Dow Jones Industrial Average

The adoption of algorithmic decision-making agents over time: algorithm aversion as a temporary effect?

Many individuals encounter algorithmic decision-making agents with algorithm aversion – the irrational discounting of superior algorithmic advice. So far, we know little about how algorithm adoption develops over time and how people may overcome algorithm aversion. In response, we explore the factors that foster the adoption of algorithmic decision-making agents – initially and over time. Based on an experiment with incentive-compatible awards over several rounds, we find that one’s knowledge about peers successfully using the technology as well as low transaction costs serve as strong initial motivators to foster initial algorithm adoption. Further, by revealing that adoption rates increase and initial difference in adoption rates become smaller over time, we find evidence that despite the technology’s particularities, algorithm aversion seems to have a temporary effect only

Dark Side of Digitalization: Who to Blame? Users or Providers?

AI-enabled digital technology appears to be transgressing the ontological boundaries associated with technology as known to humanity over the history of its existence. Today’s digital technology is active and autonomous; it interacts with humans and other AI-enabled technology and achieves its objectives mostly independent of human intervention. It shapes human experience and is shaped by it. Hence, we need to revisit our assumptions about AI-enabled technologies and reconsider individual and organizational roles and responsibilities toward such technologies. This theoretical paper questions the well-established logic that is used to protect technology makers against the users’ misuse of their technology and offers possible solutions within the context of digital social networking and media platforms

Taking the first step with systems theorizing in information systems : a response

We address the commentaries of Robey and Mikhaeil, of Mingers, and of Schultze which provided responses to our paper, “Crafting theory to satisfy the requirements of systems science.” We find their responses useful for reflecting on the development of the role of systems theorising within information systems research and provide our reaction in order to clarify several fundamental considerations pertaining to 1) our proposed set of requirements for systems theorizing, 2) the need for explicit systems theorizing, 3) the supposed overall neglect of systems science, 4) the communicability of systems theory and the path of grand theories, 5) emergence, the observer, and other considerations, and 6) systems theory from the perspective of sociomateriality

Towards a Theory of “Use” in the Autonomous Things

The way users perceive and use information system artefacts has been mainly studied from the notion of behavioural believes, cognitive efforts, and deliberate use (e.g., clicking or scrolling) by human actors to produce certain outcomes. The autonomous things, however, do not require deliberate cognitive processes and physical actions to operate. Hence, the existing notions of logical and deliberate use by human actors to produce certain outcomes warrant a revisit. Consequently, drawing on the theories of consciousness and technology adoption, we proposed the notions of conscious use in the context of autonomous things. We argue that unlike the manually operated technologies and systems, the “use” of an autonomous artefact is a state of a user’s consciousness rather than a logical, deliberate cognitive, or somatic activity. A fully autonomous artefact is consciously perceived by users anticipating their needs (through sensory information and situational awareness) without requiring any cognitive efforts, instructions, and physical contact to produce the desired outcomes

Emancipation Research in Information Systems: Integrating Agency, Dialogue, Inclusion, and Rationality Research

Emancipation is a key concept in critical theories. Prior work suggests that emancipation is a complex and multi-faceted concept. Many conceptualizations of emancipation exist, and emancipation is defined in different ways. Existing empirical studies mainly focus on one or few components of emancipation. To have an integrated understanding of emancipation, we review the literature on emancipation in information systems (IS), with a view toward developing a typology of components of emancipation in the IS field. The typology of emancipation components consists of four components: freedom to act, freedom to express, freedom to belong and freedom to think. These components relate to the concepts of agency, dialogue, inclusion, and rationality, respectively

From playmate to assistant; User experiences of integrating ChatGPT into knowledge work

While Generative AI is believed to impact societies, organizations, and work, little is known about how ChatGPT is experienced by early users and its impact on their work practices for knowledge work. This is concerning as ChatGPT is exactly the opposite of many of the technological systems studied before - it is decentralized (from an organizational perspective), multipurpose, and open-ended, and it is more autonomous by creating new syntactic content. Building on an explorative interview study with 31 early adopters, we identified different use types for ChatGPT. Thereupon, we theorize a phase model of experiencing Generative AI use as an emotional process. The exploratory insights challenge the information systems field to rethink the passive role of technology to which ‘users’ delegate subtasks toward a collaborative role with AI as a teammate or colleague. Finally, we observe worker-system intertwinement, and we discuss its potential consequences on the level of the individual, organization, and even society