You could be forgiven for thinking that the CSCW Journal has turned into a monthly publication, as we can present the latest issue just a few weeks after the previous issue. This time it is however a Special Issue on a classic CSCW theme–control rooms.
These spaces, where critical decisions are made and operations are monitored, have been evolving. Early studies focused on how people work together under pressure in these environments. But as technology and society change, so do control rooms.
The latest issue of the CSCW Journal takes a deep dive into this evolution. The editorial sets the stage by highlighting how control rooms have expanded beyond their traditional boundaries. Thanks to new technologies, like AI, and the internet, the way we think about control and coordination is changing.
In the past, control rooms were physical spaces where teams worked together in real time. Today, they can be virtual, spanning different locations and even involving the public through social media. This shift is not just about technology. It’s also about how we work together in new and complex environments.
The paper by Veitch et al. looks at how AI is changing the way ships are navigated. The authors talked to designers and navigators to see how well AI systems work in real life. It turns out there’s a gap. Designers see AI as a tool to help navigators. But navigators often feel like just a backup to the AI. The study suggests AI systems need to be more transparent. They should show what they’re doing so humans can work better with them.
Another paper, by Silvast et al., takes us into the world of electricity control rooms. These places have been around for a long time. And while they’ve adopted new tech, some old ways of doing things still stick. The study suggests we look closer at how new tools and old habits work together. This can help us understand how control rooms are changing.
Finally Reeves et al. shows us a different kind of control room. They studied how a team uses a control room to manage a live art performance. This setting was less about strict control and more about creativity. The team had to coordinate a complex show in real-time. This study broadens our view of what control rooms can do. It shows they’re not just about handling emergencies or transport. They can also be about making art happen.
These studies give us a glimpse into the future of control rooms. AI is becoming a big part of how we manage and monitor complex operations. But there’s work to do in making sure humans and AI systems work well together. Also, while new tech is important, we can’t forget the value of old practices. And finally, control rooms have more roles to play than we might think, including in the arts.
The CSCW Journal’s latest issue tells us control rooms are changing. But it’s clear they’re still key to managing the complex systems that make our world run. And as they evolve, we’ll need to keep finding ways to blend new tech with human skills and creativity.
Disclaimer: this text was brought to you by the immense wisdom of ChatGPT, though the responsabilty for errors lies with the human. Why not continue the discussion of the papers in the hub?
