Modeling and analysis of human interactions with and within complex systems

Highly advanced artifact systems make it more complex and unpredictable how they are used by the human under a particular situation. Disastrous errors would occur when such ways of interactions deviate from what are expected at the design stage by the designer, who is different from the user. Especially, the introduction of complex and powerful automation to a variety of high-tempo high-risk domains has led to unexpected difficulties which are the result of an increased need for, but lack of support of, human-machine communication and coordination. Wherein, the role of people in the system is changing and different parts that are formerly less connected are getting linked together. In the paper, the basic problems and issues of the human's interaction with automated systems, or more generally, with computers are discussed. Next, the current paradigm shifts of design principles of human-machine systems are surveyed. Then, along these principles the author's ongoing series of works on the design of interface-agents are briefly introduced.