Should We Shape our Perspective of Investigating AI from the Vantage Points of People, Processes, Data and Technology?

Dr. Hamed Sarbazhosseini, Assistant Professor in Information Systems, University of Canberra

Dr. Hamed Sarbazhosseini, Assistant Professor in Information Systems, University of Canberra

In this interview, Sarbazhosseini emphasises that AI is transforming academia and society by enhancing decision-making and efficiency across disciplines. He introduces a structured paradigm—People, Processes, Data and Technology (PPDT)—to guide AI integration and research. His message is a reminder that human insight and purpose must guide how we use AI.

Thanks to AI technologies for bringing a new generation of thinking, working and innovation. Yes, it’s true that our day-to-day work, especially in academia and research, has been impacted by the number of AI-related research and teaching initiatives. It brings a new dimension to thinking about user design, development and management. From incorporating AI into the newest generation of technologies to its applications in managing complex computing projects, AI is playing an increasingly important role. The old generation of AI offers automation and statistical analysis, but the new generation, overhauled with data, offers analysis, judgment and contributes to most decision-making.

As academic members, we recognise that most research in science and technology focuses on AI, cybersecurity and data science to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in our social, environmental and economic lives. However, AI is also playing a role in other fields, such as business, law, education, art, design and even healthcare. It is a good reflection to look back and assess the use of technology in each domain and the importance of Information Systems in everything we do.

“The old generation of AI offers automation and statistical analysis, but the new generation, overhauled with data, offers analysis, judgment and contributes to most decision-making”

The truth is that AI is a tool that can indeed bring efficiency and effectiveness, but would that help us achieve the outcomes we are looking for? Do our graduates acquire better skills and find jobs more easily? Do practitioners receive all the capabilities they need to complete tasks, or is AI merely a tool that serves as another source of information?

In my opinion, AI is essential on its own, but the roles of science, technology, health, education, business, law, art and design cannot be replaced in the future of academia. We have been recently working on a paradigm of people, processes, data and technology, which is not unknown in information systems and many other domains. We have proven research that demonstrates the utility of this paradigm in examining AI system, cybersecurity, construction and project management systems. Our collected knowledge from different research projects validates the use of PPDT paradigm and proves that the new generation of research and education should aim to identify the skills or capabilities required, determine which processes should be applied and how, ascertain what data is needed and how it should be managed and understand what technology should be used and how it should be implemented. We claim that this paradigm brings structure to any field of research, including AI, cyber, or data. It allows for the exploration of phenomena where emerging technologies play a significant role. Perhaps it is too early to examine the success of AI’s role, but we should first define what success means. We suggest that various fields can utilise the wellknown framework of state transition, where we investigate our current state, our desired state and the actions needed to achieve that desired state. The learning from this system offers AI platforms the ability to analyse data and learn from the processes. This dynamic overview of systems thinking facilitates better interpretation of the PPDT paradigm and more effective alignment with future requirements.

Construction

Healthcare

Project Management