Assessing human-centricity in AI enabled manufacturing systems: a socio-technical evaluation methodology

The emerging interest in Industry 5.0 is consistent with the growing importance of instilling human-centricity in manufacturing technological innovations. Human-centricity concerns the creation of a human-technology symbiosis that enables the capitalization of respective human and technical capabilities for optimal system performance. While Industry 5.0 advocates the need to consider human aspects already at the design of technical systems, there is currently a lack of insights regarding the relevant performance criteria to consider when evaluating human-centric manufacturing. This paper presents an evaluation methodology for artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled manufacturing in the transition towards Industry 5.0. It adopts a multi-viewpoint assessment via an appropriate set of social, technical and operational factors to be considered when designing or implementing human-centric AI. The methodology can guide designers and decision-makers to evaluate the embedding of AI into industrial work systems, providing clarity on relevant criteria to consider when moving towards human-centricity in AI-enabled manufacturing.