The rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLM), has the potential to revolutionize the way we work and interact with digital systems across various industries. However, the current state of software automation, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) frameworks, often requires domain expertise and lacks visibility and intuitive interfaces, making it challenging for users to fully leverage these technologies. This position paper argues for the emerging area of Human-Centered Automation (HCA), which prioritizes user needs and preferences in the design and development of automation systems. Drawing on empirical evidence from human-computer interaction research and case studies, we highlight the importance of considering user perspectives in automation and propose a framework for designing human-centric automation solutions. The paper discusses the limitations of existing automation approaches, the challenges in integrating AI and RPA, and the benefits of human-centered automation for productivity, innovation, and democratizing access to these technologies. We emphasize the importance of open-source solutions and provide examples of how HCA can empower individuals and organizations in the era of rapidly progressing AI, helping them remain competitive. The paper also explores pathways to achieve more advanced and context-aware automation solutions. We conclude with a call to action for researchers and practitioners to focus on developing automation technologies that adapt to user needs, provide intuitive interfaces, and leverage the capabilities of high-end AI to create a more accessible and user-friendly future of automation.

翻译：生成式人工智能（如大型语言模型和多模态大型语言模型）的快速发展，有望彻底改变我们在各行业工作及与数字系统交互的方式。然而，当前软件自动化（如机器人流程自动化框架）的现状通常需要领域专业知识，且缺乏可见性和直观界面，使得用户难以充分利用这些技术。本立场论文主张新兴的"以人为中心的自动化"领域，该领域在自动化系统的设计与开发中优先考虑用户需求和偏好。借鉴人机交互研究的实证证据和案例研究，我们强调了在自动化中考虑用户视角的重要性，并提出了一个设计以人为本的自动化解决方案的框架。本文讨论了现有自动化方法的局限性、整合人工智能与机器人流程自动化的挑战，以及以人为中心的自动化在提升生产力、促进创新和普及技术访问方面的益处。我们强调了开源解决方案的重要性，并举例说明在人工智能快速发展的时代，以人为中心的自动化如何赋能个人和组织，帮助其保持竞争力。本文还探讨了实现更先进、更具情境感知能力的自动化解决方案的路径。最后，我们呼吁研究人员和实践者致力于开发能够适应用户需求、提供直观界面并利用高端人工智能能力的自动化技术，以创造一个更易访问、更用户友好的自动化未来。