work system

I4S 1/2026: Applied AI Ethics in the Workplace

I4S 1/2026: Applied AI Ethics in the Workplace

A shared responsibility — from radiology and speech therapy to assembly
AI ethics in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It requires accountability from companies as a whole and conscious action from individuals—whether developers or users, managers or employees. Key issues revolve around ethical AI skills and questions of governance and employee representation. How will the world of work change, from radiology and speech therapy to assembly and quality control?
I4S 5/2025: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Assistance

I4S 5/2025: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Assistance

How we can better support work
Demographic change, skills shortages, and stagnating productivity are threatening the competitiveness of German industry. At the same time, AI and digital assistance systems are opening up new opportunities: they make work more efficient and support skilled workers. But while they have long been part of everyday life, their potential in industry remains largely untapped—this is where this issue comes in with innovative concepts.
Human-Centered AI-Paired Work Systems

Human-Centered AI-Paired Work Systems

Integrating GenAI and the human factor in work system theory
Katharina Hölzle ORCID Icon, Udo-Ernst Haner
The work system is the key unit of analysis within the discipline of human factors/ergonomics (HFE); it is also considered a fundamental element for value creation within other domains. Its concept is based on sociotechnical systems theory and, within HFE, it conveys a distinctly human-centered perspective. So far, work system models have focused on one or several people working within a defined setting as the only (intelligent) actors within the system. The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) into work systems, particularly as an intelligent and autonomous actor (agent) with potentially specific social abilities and personality traits, calls for reconceptualization. This article elaborates on the new requirements related to the introduction of genAI and develops a human-centered AI-paired work system model that recognizes the significantly expanded capabilities of AI-enabled collaborative social robots.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | 2025 | Edition 5 | Pages 38-48 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.25.5.38
Innovative Working Environments

Innovative Working Environments

Age-Mixed Communication and Demographic Work Systems
Jens Mühlstedt, Christian Scherf, Claudia Roscher, Birgit Spanner-Ulmer, Angelika C. Bullinger-Hoffmann
Due to demographic change, fundamental transformations in economy and society can be identified in Germany and other European countries. The requirements on companies regarding increasing flexibility and innovation skills proceed parallel to demographic change. Hence, research on demographics in innovative working environments can deal with these changes in positive ways. The article describes two design tools: first the modular age explorer MAX which makes demographic change perceptible for young people and second flexible, generation-heterogeneous organizations which provide both innovation and value potential. These tools enable generation-heterogeneous communication and work systems for the researchers and all departments.
Industrie Management | Volume 29 | 2013 | Edition 3 | Pages 34-38