Lucy Suchman, often referred to as “the mother of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI),” has made profound contributions to our perception of technology and its effectiveness in serving human needs. Her work, particularly during the Artificial Intelligence movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s, challenged the prevailing belief that AI could single-handedly address all of humanity’s challenges. Instead, Suchman challenged that technology must be viewed in the context of human decision-making, which is complex, rooted in past experiences, and ever-evolving.
In her groundbreaking research at Xerox, Suchman took a unique path by closely examining the interactions between humans and machines. Suchman delved specifically into the dynamics between individuals and the technology they used. She also explored the interactions between technicians and the emerging screens within machines, challenging the computer scientists’ claim that technology could fully automate tasks without human intervention.
I connected this idea to a valuable conversation I had in my Interaction Design Core Behavior Studio which focused on the realm of autonomous vehicles, where technology clashes with the unpredictable nature of human behavior. These vehicles rely on advanced sensors, machine learning, and vast data, yet they often struggle to understand and adapt to human drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Understanding non-verbal cues, like hand signals from pedestrians, or making complex decisions in traffic can be really challenging for them. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles confront ethical dilemmas, such as the well-known “trolley problem,” where they must make life-and-death choices based on human values and societal norms—a task that today’s technology simply can’t handle.
From a personal perspective, Suchman’s insights resonate deeply, especially after delving deeper into the boundaries of AI through the Manifesto of Human Centric AI Assignment. It becomes increasingly evident that technology’s efficacy is closely tied to the extent to which humans can train and adapt it to specific contexts. In this sense, Suchman’s teachings reinforce the idea that technology serves as a tool, an extension of human capabilities, and its potential flourishes when it aligns seamlessly with human understanding.
Citations
- “Lucy Suchman.” Women of Interaction Design, womenofixd.com/stories/lucy-suchman#:~:text=Her%20work%20as%20an%20anthropologist,following%20specified%20plans%20and%20procedures. Accessed 9 Oct. 2023.
- Kurdziolek, Meg. “Human + Machine = Something New.” Medium, The UX Book Club, 17 June 2019, medium.com/the-ux-book-club/human-machine-something-new-f81f04a80ed0.
