# How does HCI Understand Human Autonomy and Agency?

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.12490 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.12490/

## Key facts

- Cited by 14 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 29 Jan 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 14 of 14)

- [Levels of Autonomy for AI Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.12469/) (2025)
- [Cocoa: Co-Planning and Co-Execution with AI Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.10999/) (2024)
- [Position: Towards Bidirectional Human-AI Alignment](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.09264/) (2024)
- [Establishing and Evaluating Trustworthy AI: Overview and Research Challenges](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.09973/) (2024)
- [Active Inference and Human--Computer Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.14741/) (2024)
- [Identifying Features that Shape Perceived Consciousness in Large Language Model-based AI: A Quantitative Study of Human Responses](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.15365/) (2025)
- [Does My Chatbot Have an Agenda? Understanding Human and AI Agency in Human-Human-like Chatbot Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.22452/) (2026)
- [Overseeing Agents Without Constant Oversight: Challenges and Opportunities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.16844/) (2026)
- [Autonomy Reshapes How Personalization Affects Privacy Concerns and Trust in LLM Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.04465/) (2025)
- [SoulSeek: Exploring the Use of Social Cues in LLM-based Information Seeking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.01094/) (2026)
- [From Junior to Senior: Allocating Agency and Navigating Professional Growth in Agentic AI-Mediated Software Engineering](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.00496/) (2026)
- [InnerPond: Fostering Inter-Self Dialogue with a Multi-Agent Approach for Introspection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.27563/) (2026)
- [15 Years of Augmented Human(s) Research: Where Do We Stand?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.03715/) (2026)
- [Augmenting Human Performance with an XR Agent Learning from Online Behavior and BCI Evidence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.30369/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Human agency and autonomy have always been fundamental concepts in HCI. New developments, including ubiquitous AI and the growing integration of technologies into our lives, make these issues ever pressing, as technologies increase their ability to influence our behaviours and values. However, in HCI understandings of autonomy and agency remain ambiguous. Both concepts are used to describe a wide range of phenomena pertaining to sense-of-control, material independence, and identity. It is unclear to what degree these understandings are compatible, and how they support the development of research programs and practical interventions. We address this by reviewing 30 years of HCI research on autonomy and agency to identify current understandings, open issues, and future directions. From this analysis, we identify ethical issues, and outline key themes to guide future work. We also articulate avenues for advancing clarity and specificity around these concepts, and for coordinating integrative work across different HCI communities.