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Designing Agentive Technology

designing agentive technology spot image

AI That Works for People

By Christopher Noessel

Published: May 2017
Paperback: 280 pages
Paperback ISBN: 978-1933820-63-7
Ebook ISBN: 978-1933820-70-5

Advances in narrow artificial intelligence make possible agentive systems that do things directly for their users (like, say, an automatic pet feeder). They deliver on the promise of user-centered design, but present fresh challenges in understanding their unique promises and pitfalls. Designing Agentive Technology provides both a conceptual grounding and practical advice to unlock agentive technology’s massive potential.

Advances in narrow artificial intelligence make possible agentive systems that do things directly for their users (like, say, an automatic pet feeder). They deliver on the promise of user-centered design, but present fresh challenges in understanding their unique promises and pitfalls. Designing Agentive Technology provides both a conceptual grounding and practical advice to unlock agentive technology’s massive potential.

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Table of Contents

Foreword by Phil Gilbert
Chapter 1: The Thermostat That Evolved
Chapter 2: Fait Accompli: Agentive Tech Is Here
Chapter 3: Agentive Tech Can Change the World
Chapter 4: Six Takeaways from the History of Agentive Thinking
Chapter 5: A Modifed Frame for Interaction
Chapter 6: Ramping Up with an Agent
Chapter 7: Everything Running Smoothly
Chapter 8: Handling Exceptions
Chapter 9: Handoff and Takeback
Chapter 10: Evaluating Agents
Chapter 11: How Will Our Practice Evolve?
Chapter 12: Utopia, Dystopia, and Cat Videos
Chapter 13: Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It

FAQ

These common questions and their short answers are taken from Christopher Noessel’s book Designing Agentive Technology: AI That Works for People. You can find longer answers to each in your copy of the book, either printed or digital version.

  1. How do you pronounce “agentive”?
    “Agentive” is a once-languishing adjective that is built on the word “agent,” so I pronounce it emphasizing the first syllable, “A-jen-tiv.” I like that this pronunciation points back to its root, which helps people suss out its meaning when they’re hearing it for the first time. I’ve heard people stress the second syllable, as “uh-JEN-tiv,” which rolls off the tongue just fine, but doesn’t do much to help people’s understanding.

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