Understanding Human-Centred AI: a review of its defining elements and a research agenda

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have ushered in a new era of innovative applications, while also prompting concerns regarding risks and adverse consequences. In light of the growing interest in comprehending AI's impact on society and its alignment with human values and needs, Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) has emerged as a potential approach to address questions and concerns. In this Systematic Literature Review, we aim to contribute to conceptual clarity around the definition, conceptualisation, and implementation of HCAI. The first part of our review addresses how HCAI is defined in the existing literature, culminating in a novel comprehensive HCAI definition. Subsequently, we delve into the identified constituent elements of HCAI, namely ‘purpose’, ‘values’, and ‘properties’. Purposes include augmentation, AI autonomy, and automation. Values relate to ethics, safety, and performance. Properties cover oversight, comprehension, and integrity. The third part of the review explores Human-Centred Design processes, methods, and tools and their applicability for HCAI. In conclusion, we discuss the characteristics and critiques of HCAI and provide a research agenda. This literature review contributes to advancing the discourse on HCAI, thus enhancing human welfare and societal well-being.Abbreviations: AI: artificial intelligence; AI-HLEG: high-level expert group on artificial intelligence; GenAI: generative AI; HCAI: human-centred artificial intelligence; HCD: human-centred design; HCI: human-computer interaction; ISO: international organization for standardization; OECD: organisation for economic co-operation and development.