Autonomy in Transition: AI, Self-Identity, and the Evolution of Human Agency

This systematic review explored the relationship between artificial intelligence, self-identity, and autonomy across healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and creative industries. It introduced the Human Identity and Autonomy Gap (HIAG), a framework for analyzing psychological and social tensions in human–AI collaboration beyond traditional models. The study examined mechanisms such as professional identity reconstruction, trust calibration, and the integration of hybrid competencies. Findings revealed patterns across domains: in autonomous vehicles, trust influenced adoption; in creative industries, collective homogenization affected individual creativity; and in healthcare, AI delegation occurred with human oversight. Explainable AI was found to improve trust, while cultural factors shaped adoption. The HIAG framework highlights AI’s dual role as an enhancer and disruptor. It offers guidelines for designing trustworthy systems that empower users, adapt to cultural contexts, and uphold ethical standards to preserve human agency.