The GenAI Who Knew Too Little: Revisiting Transactive Memory Systems in Human GenAI Collaboration

arXiv:2610.28343v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is rapidly transforming knowledge work, creating new collaborative dynamics that challenge tradi-tional human-human interaction patterns. This study investigates how Transactive Memory Systems (TMS) manifest in human-GenAI collabora-tion. Through qualitative interpretive interviews with 14 knowledge work-ers and thematic analysis, we identified distinct TMS manifestations across its three main dimensions: (1) regarding specialization, expertise recogni-tion exhibited asymmetry. Humans developed awareness of GenAI capabili-ties while GenAI demonstrated only temporary recognition of human exper-tise; (2) in terms of credibility, humans formed ambivalent trust relation-ships with GenAI, simultaneously attributing expertise to the latter while implementing additional verification processes; and (3) concerning coor-dination, where humans primarily directed more passive GenAI systems lacking initiative, resulting in hierarchical interaction patterns and unidi-rectional information flow. Our findings reveal that TMS manifests differ-ently in human-GenAI compared to human-human collaboration, necessitat-ing theoretical adaptations including trust markers, acknowledging GenAI's absent metamemory, and identifying its temporary memory.

GenAI collaboration with humans exhibits asymmetry and hierarchical interaction patterns, potentially undermining human expertise and trust.

The study identifies differences in collaborative memory and trust dynamics between humans and GenAI without claiming clear positive or negative social impacts. It reports humans' ambivalent trust and hierarchical interactions, but does not establish whether these effects overall harm or benefit knowledge work or society. Evidence is from qualitative interviews, which limits broad generalization. Thus, implications for human flourishing remain unclear.

This is a small qualitative academic study describing interaction patterns, not a claim about societal trajectory. It offers descriptive insight into workplace AI use with no strong positive or negative implication for human flourishing.

The study suggests that GenAI's limitations in recognizing human expertise and its passive nature lead to hierarchical human-GenAI interactions and necessitate human-led verification, potentially reducing efficiency and increasing human workload. The findings indicate challenges in effective human-AI collaboration for knowledge work.

The study identifies differences in how Transactive Memory Systems manifest in human-GenAI collaboration. These differences are neither wholly positive nor negative for human flourishing. The implications are uncertain.

SOURCE     arXiv cs.CY (Computers and Society) (tier 1)
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DOCUMENT   d3d48113-b61e-4b64-8d20-19fc54b15f32
           https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.28343
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EVIDENCE   2 extracted excerpts
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MODEL RUN  5 runs, methodology 1.0.1
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SCORE      -47  (Adverse)
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CONFIDENCE 75%