This second book in our series Artificial Intelligence and Society
explores the issues involved in the design and application of
human-centred systems in the manufacturing area. At first glance it may
appear that a book on this topic is somewhat peripheral to the main
concerns of the series. In fact, although starting from an engineering
perspective, the book addresses some of the pivotal issues confronting
those who apply new technology in general and artificial intelligence
(AI) systems in particular. Above all, the book invites us to consider
whether the present applications of technology are such as to make the
best use of human skill and ingenuity and at the same time provide for
realistic and economically sustainable systems design solutions. To do
so it is necessary to provide systems which support the skill, and are
amenable to the cultures, of the areas of application in question. In a
philosophical sense it means providing tools to support skills rather
than machines which replace them, to use Heidegger's distinction. The
book gives an authoritative account of the University of Manchester
Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) tradition of
human-centredness and provides a participatory design ap- proach which
focuses on collaborative learning and enhancement and creation of new
skills. It also argues that collaboration should be supported by
institutions through the creation of supportive infrastructures and
research environments. It emphasises the optimisation of practical
knowledge with the help of scientific knowledge and rejects the
alternative.