Advances in technology are changing the way expert roles are performed and how professionals are perceived by others within society. Developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence are now blurring the boundaries between the capabilities of people and those of intelligent autonomous systems, as well as improving the fidelity of the outcomes that can be achieved. Introducing autonomous systems to supplement and potentially replace roles that are currently seen as the preserve of highly trained and competent people presents challenges in terms of trust and acceptance. Informed and motivated by a review of the latest developments within the Air Traffic Control domain, a recent and topical example of the deployment of autonomous support recently deployed within NATS (the UK’s main supplier of ATC services in the UK) explored the views and feelings of Air Traffic Controllers following of a technical innovation which changed how they provide a specific aspect of the UK air traffic control service. A phenomenological approach was undertaken to understand the experiences and feelings of Controllers who were required to use a new system that challenged previous concepts for safe service delivery. Potential linkages were identified between various recognised Change Management and Technology Acceptance Models and which offer the ability to help innovators understand how end-users could be effectively engaged in the future development and use of technology to support or supplement their roles, as well as help facilitate trusted relationships between those advocating the use of new technology and those who are required to use it. The research also points to the emotional aspects of such types of change and that seeking to understand possible impacts and outcomes from that perspective could help deliver more constructive outcomes.
Date of Award | 8 Feb 2022 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Supervisor | Adam Palmer (Supervisor), Claire Ancient (Supervisor) & Tammi Sinha (Supervisor) |
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- Change Management
- Technology Acceptance
- Automation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Air Traffic Control
The Influence Automation is having on Air Traffic Control from the Controllers’ End-User Perspective
Pybus, S. (Author). 8 Feb 2022
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis