*Result*: (Some) Benefits in Operator Decisions to Use AI After Experiencing Optimal Outcomes.

Title:
(Some) Benefits in Operator Decisions to Use AI After Experiencing Optimal Outcomes.
Authors:
Patton CE; North Carolina State University, USA., Clegg BA; Montana State University, USA., Davis BC; Colorado State University, USA., Blanchard N; Colorado State University, USA.
Source:
Human factors [Hum Factors] 2026 Mar; Vol. 68 (3), pp. 368-380. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 18.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0374660 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1547-8181 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00187208 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Hum Factors Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: Santa Monica, Ca : Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Original Publication: New York, N.Y. : Pergamon Press, 1958-4
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: adaptable automation; dynamic decision making; evidence accumulation; human–automation teaming
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251018 Date Completed: 20260205 Latest Revision: 20260205
Update Code:
20260205
DOI:
10.1177/00187208251387933
PMID:
41108677
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*ObjectiveThe current study aimed to explore the impacts of experiencing superior behaviors-accumulating large amounts of evidence and high automation use rates-on subsequent evidence accumulation rates and adaptable (discretionary) automation use decisions in a dynamic decision-making task.BackgroundOperators prefer to choose when to engage automated support systems but seldom use them appropriately. They also do not typically collect enough evidence to optimize their decision making. This creates suboptimal performance that could benefit from training better behaviors.MethodParticipants collected evidence about movement patterns of ships while assisted by a machine learning aid. They were initially required to collect high levels of evidence and use the aid as a form of hands-on training. Then, they chose how much evidence to collect and when to engage the aid.ResultsWhen given the choice, operators collected less evidence and used the automation less often than had been required during training, but improved their performance compared to unaided trials.ConclusionProviding operators with early experience of superior behavioral strategies can improve their subsequent decisions. This is a promising direction for achieving human-automation team synergy.ApplicationsShort exposures to optimal behaviors may be a feasible training approach to improve human-automation interactions in contexts where operators want decisional freedom in their interactions.*

*Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.*