AI as a Team Member: Redefining Collaboration

Abstract

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the nature of teamwork, leading to the emergence of human-agent teams across various domains. From cognitive assistants supporting astronauts to AI-driven automation in autonomous vehicles, AI is increasingly integrated as an active team member rather than a passive tool. The current paper explores the distinctions between human-human, agent-agent, and human-agent teams, providing insights into the roles AI can assume within collaborative environments. We examine established teamwork models, such as Shared Mental Model (SMM) and Co-Active Design, and present a human-AI team framework to understand how AI can effectively enhance joint activity, communication, and decision-making within teams. Additionally, the paper identifies current challenges with integrating AI into human-agent teams, including the lack of adaptive teamwork models and engineering limitations. By addressing these challenges and leveraging structured frameworks, organizations can optimize AI-human collaboration, fostering high-performance teams capable of excelling in complex, dynamic work environments.