Harnessing the Power of Human-Centered AI to Improve Decision Making

University of Chicago Professor Chenhao Tan recently delivered an engaging presentation at the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design, highlighting a transformative approach to decision-making through the utilization of explainable AI. This innovative concept, termed human-centred AI, prioritizes human involvement in the decision-making process, with AI acting as a complement rather than a replacement for human judgment.

During his presentation titled “Towards Human-Centred AI: How to Generate Useful Explanations for Human-AI Decision Making,” Professor Tan delved into the pivotal role of AI in enhancing human decision-making processes. He underscored the importance of integrating human psychology, goals, and values into AI development, a core principle guiding the work of the Chicago Human+AI Lab.

Addressing a diverse audience of approximately 25 individuals at the Technology and Social Behavior Ph.D. program’s winter colloquium, Tan drew thought-provoking parallels between human decision-making and the predictive capabilities of AI. He likened human decisions to prediction problems, wherein individuals rely on past experiences to make informed choices, mirroring the function of predictive AI models that utilize data analysis for decision-making.

Tan emphasized the significance of understanding AI models’ algorithmic rationale, termed “explanations,” to leverage AI’s capabilities in enhancing human decision-making. By integrating human intuition into these explanations, the decision-making process can be optimized, enabling individuals to learn from AI’s reasoning and emerge as better decision-makers.

The interdisciplinary nature of Tan’s human-centred AI approach garnered interest from a diverse audience, including fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in technology and social behavior, Sachita Nishal, who praised the emphasis on human intuition in generating explanations. Nishal highlighted the value of understanding human intuition in various contexts, such as the design of AI systems for journalists.

Furthermore, communication studies Professor Nicholas Diakopoulos found Professor Tan’s comprehensive exploration of human-centred AI to be an exciting and influential space that captivated the curiosity of many individuals, recognizing the fusion of human-computer interaction and AI.

This insightful presentation sheds light on the transformative potential of human-centred AI in revolutionizing decision-making processes and positioning humans as the driving force behind AI’s capabilities. With Professor Tan leading this pioneering research, the Chicago Human+AI Lab continues to spearhead groundbreaking advancements at the intersection of human intuition and artificial intelligence.