Journal of Information Technology Impact

This paper presents the concept of complemation complementary technology that is designed to enhance human skills and abilities rather than replace them. Complemation differs from automation in that it utilizes human skills and functions in a critical rather than ancillary role. The machine is used primarily for monitoring and precise implementation and the human is the primary decision-maker and outer loop performer. In this way, the human remains engaged in the task and aware of the situation. Traditional automation approaches relegate monitoring duties to humans, which are inherently poor monitors of highly reliable systems, while expecting them to intervene in cases where the automation cannot perform. The paper argues that such traditional automation can set the human up for failure.