Role 01
Advisor
AI interprets information and recommends options while the human retains primary control over decisions and execution.
Inform and recommendFramework explainer
Three roles for understanding human–AI collaboration.
The Triadic Human–AI Collaboration Framework describes AI according to the role it occupies in a shared activity. The roles distinguish how much authority the system holds and how responsibility is coordinated with the human.
Role 02
Co-Pilot
Human and AI coordinate activity through shared control, mutual monitoring, or complementary contributions.
Coordinate and shareRole 03
Guardian
AI monitors risk and may take bounded protective action when a defined safety threshold or constraint is reached.
Protect and interveneWhy roles matter
Levels alone do not describe collaboration.
A system can offer advice, share action, or intervene protectively at different moments. Role language helps researchers describe these changes and study whether people understand who currently holds the task and what will happen next.