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A word for being willing to accept the decisions and/or actions of machines

English Language & Usage Asked by FactIM on March 23, 2021

Is there a word that describes the attitude of a human willingly accepting the decisions and/or actions of machines (automation, robots, control systems, etc).
e.g. I have just bought a new car with autonomous braking which initially I did not trust and tended to turn off. Some models of human/machine interaction are based on trust building as the person’s knowledge of the purpose of a machine, how it functions and what is its actual performance becomes clear and understood. I distrust the autonomous braking on my car even though I have some idea of its purpose and how it functions. I cannot however verify its performance because I cannot test it without potentially wrecking my new car (simulate a frontal collision). The essential characteristics of the relationship between human and machine seems to be that the machine extends human capability and can do things (in the case of autonomous braking) beyond our cognitive ability and speed of response. Also the human’s life or safety depends on it and there is no alternative or escape because the actions needed when the machine detects danger and intervenes happens independently of our own ability to act.
I welcome any suggestions for a term that describes our attitude towards "submission to machines" in this particular context that involves our personal safety.

2 Answers

to associate with machines.

source - Merriam Webster

Answered by Matthew D'Souza on March 23, 2021

Perhaps an 'automatic decision'. But this does not describes "willingly accepting" or even just "acceptance" whether "willing" or not; and nor is an 'automatic decision' made neccessarily by machines or algorithms. You can say 'he decided automatically' in the sense the decision was already a foregone conclusion.

I don't think there is such a word which is specifically orientated to machines, automation, robots or algorithms and which probably reveals a great deal about the psychology, politics and ethics of how humans view automata, specifically that machines and algorithms are designed by humans and so the ultimate decision and responsibility is by humans. It obviously has a legal dimension too.

In a sense, that there is no popular term for such a notion reveals an ethical, political and legal recognition that such 'automatic' decision-making ultimately remains in the hands of humans and it's there that the real responsility lies. Colloquially, it's where the buck stops.

Answered by Mozibur Ullah on March 23, 2021

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