Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have increased interest in combining AI with human intelligence to develop superior systems that augment human and artificial intelligence. In this paper, augmented intelligence informally means computers and humans working together, by design, to enhance one another, such that the intelligence of the resulting system improves. Intelligence augmentation (IA) can pool the joint intelligence of humans and computers to transform individual work, organizations, and society. Notably, applications of IA are beginning to emerge in several domains, such as cybersecurity, privacy, counterterrorism, and healthcare, among others. We provide a brief summary of papers in this special section that represent early attempts to address some of the rapidly emerging research issues. We also present a framework to guide research on IA and advocate for the important implications of IA for the future of work, organizations, and society. We conclude by outlining promising research directions based on this framework for the information systems and related disciplines.

With the rapid advancement of Web 2.0 technologies, Internet medicine, and mobile healthcare, the influence of the use of patient-oriented Mobile Internet-based Health Services (MIHS) on patient satisfaction and the electronic word-of-mouth (WOM) of health service agencies is becoming the focus of the academic research community. Many large hospitals, including some Internet hospitals, have provided various online healthcare service platforms that enable patients to expediently consult with physicians and obtain healthcare services in an online to offline format. The purpose of this study is to analyze the main mechanisms of how the features and users’ experiences of MIHS influenced patient satisfaction and continuous use behaviors of the system to generate additional WOM dissemination behaviors. Based on post-adoption behavior and Expectation Confirmation Model of Information Technology Continuance (ECM-IT), this study conducted an empirical study through data collection from users (patients) from a large hospital providing online healthcare services. A total of 494 pieces of data were collected and analyzed using SmartPLS2.0(SmartPLS GmbH, Hamburg, Gernmany). The results show that: (1) patient satisfaction with MIHS and their intentions to continue use of MIHS have significantly positive influences on WOM; (2) patient satisfaction with MIHS is positively influenced by perceived usefulness and confirmation of MIHS performance expectations; (3) and patient intentions to continue use of MIHS are also affected by some technology factors, such as facilitating conditions and perceived risk, as well as some subjective feelings, such as perceived usefulness and perceived interactivity. The results of this study provide important implications for both research and practice of public health.

Motivated by rising demands for medical care and the recent trends in medical care delivery, this work designs, develops, and evaluates the augmented virtual doctor office (AVDO). AVDO is intended to provide group medical visits in cyberspace (Cyber GMV). This research adopts the design science approach to design AVDO based on the extension of media naturalness (MN) theory. AVDO is implemented in an augmented world setting that integrates real visual cues with a virtual-world technology (Second Life^® in this case). The assessment of AVDO is carried out in two ways: (1) through a synthesis of the extended MN theory and technology acceptance theories to assess the relationships of design features as perceived by patients with outcomes that include understanding, perceived effectiveness, trust, and behavior intentions, and (2) through the assessment of AVDO’s proof of value and proof of use as a supplementary channel for the delivery of medical care. Our work shows how the design features significantly influence outcomes and patients’ positive views of the design’s value and use. Theoretical and practical contributions of the work are presented.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the robotic process automation (RPA) contextual (center of excellence and scalability) and the multidisciplinary (TOE) determinants of RPA adoption in service industries in the emerging economy.Design/methodology/approach: Ten factors were identified through literature surveys and popular studies grounded in technology, organization and environment. SPSS AMOS SEM is used for scale measurement and hypotheses testing. A sample of 313 respondents was collected from middle to above middle management executives of service industries from India. The authors tested the hidden layers and non-linear relationships using artificial neural network (ANN) analysis.Findings: The low complexity, center of excellence (CoE), and industry/business partner pressure were significant to the RPA adoption in service industries in emerging economies. Counterintuitively, the scalability showed a negative influence on the RPA adoption, and the process capability did not show influence. The results of SEM and ANN were consistent.Research limitations/implications: This research can unfold the RPA adoption scholarly debate to multiple services industries beyond the telecom sector in emerging economies.Practical implications: RPA is a disruptive technology on the artificial intelligence (AI) continuum. It has the potential to change the ways of working and enable technology-driven transformation. However, despite having thriving service industries that can benefit from RPA, emerging economies lag in adoption compared to the developed nations.Social implications: The RPA and automation can bring transformation to human society. Large economies such as India and China have large-scale demand for services, and the waiting lines are a common issue struggled by society. RPA can address the scalability issues of several services.Originality/value: This study is among the first to examine technology-organization-environment (TOE) with RPA, including RPA contextual variables such as the CoE and scalability. Literature reports TOE applications on several emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 such as cloud, blockchain, big data and 3 Dimensional Printing (3DP), but no or little reported studies around RPA in services industries in emerging markets.