Defining Reliable, Safe, and Trustworthy Systems

While machine autonomy remains a popular goal, the goal of human autonomy should remain equally strong in designers’ minds. Machine and human autonomy are both valuable in certain contexts, but a combined strategy uses automation when it is reliable and human control when it is necessary. To guide design improvements it will be helpful to focus on the attributes that make HCAI systems reliable, safe, and trustworthy. Designers of reliable, safe, and trustworthy systems will also promote resilience, clarify responsibility, increase quality, and encourage creativity. Still broader goals are to ensure privacy, increase cybersecurity, support social justice, and protect the environment.