Human–Machine Relations Composed, Decomposed, Recomposed

Abstract This article delves into the intricate and evolving dynamics of human–machine relations, pushing for a reconceptualization of agency as a mutable and distributed phenomenon rather than a static attribute. It traverses a multitude of theoretical perspectives across disciplines each contributing to a nuanced understanding of the intertwined existences of humans and machines. These theoretical excursions reveal a complex landscape where agency is not merely a property of beings but arises within the entanglements of actions and interactions, suggesting a deeply interconnected fabric of existence that defies simple categorization. By engaging with the material and immaterial elements on a micro and meso scale of analysis, the article looks into practical manifestations of these theories, including human–computer interaction and the agential capacities of software and algorithms within themselves. These reflections highlight the constant negotiation of agencies within a shared operational space, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the distributed nature of agency in shaping human–machine relations. In a shift in perspective to macro scale in the final section, the article demands a new understanding of human-centered accountability within this reorientation of human–machine relations.