I just saw a TED video by Shyam Sankar that talks about Human Computer Interaction. It uses many examples including how two humans with computers use business intelligence to beat the Chess Supercomputer that beat Kasparov.
In the video, Sankar, mentions that:
Human Computer Simbiosis is making us more capable. So if you want to
improve Human-Computer Simbiosis, what can you do?
You can start by designing the human into the process. Instead of
thinking what a computer would do to solve the problem, design the
solution around what the human would do as well. When you do this you
will realize that you'll spend all of your time on the interface
between man and machine. Specifically on designing around friction and
interaction. In fact the friction is more important than the power
of the man or the power of the machine in determining over all
capability."
- a = Analytic Capability
- h = human
- c = computer
- M(h*c) = Gestalt of (Human & Computer)
- 1+fi = Friction
As suggested by Shyam Sankar. he continues:
Computers don't detect novel patterns and new behavior, but humans
do. Humans using technology, testing hypothesis, searching for insight
by asking machines to do things for them. Osama Bin Laden wasn't
caught by Artificial Intelligence, he was caught by dedicated,
resourceful, brilliant people, in partnership with various
technologies. As appealing as it might sound you can't algorithmically
find your way to an answer. There's no find Terrorist Button, and the
more data we integrate from the most bast variety of sources, accross
a wide variety of data formats, from various disparate system the less
effective data mining can be. Instead people will need to look at data
and search for insight [...] the key for great results here, is
finding the right type of cooperation [...][and this is done by]
minimizing the friction at the interface.
In this sense the answer to my question is given by Sankar, by stating that the machine itself would never be able to analyze patterns, imagine or speculate the way humans do, on the other hand computers give us the tools to do these tasks more effectively. Such as choosing one of the results from the Google SERP. In other words, users want to feel in control and want to be given the ability to choose; this is the underlying nature of the relationship between humans and computers.
Apple's Human-Computer Interaction Guidelines mention also that:
User Control
Allow the user, not the computer, to initiate and control actions.
Some apps attempt to assist the user by offering only those
alternatives deemed good for the user or by protecting the user from
having to make detailed decisions. Because this approach puts the
computer, not the user, in control, it is best confined to parts of
the user interface aimed at novice users. Provide the level of user
control that is appropriate for your audience.
The key is to provide users with the capabilities they need while helping them avoid dangerous, irreversible actions. For example, in
situations where the user might destroy data accidentally, you should
always provide a warning, but allow the user to proceed if they
choose.
IMO the I'm feeling button is/was like a dangerous UI pattern. As it inspires new designers to reverse the relationship between men and devices.
