Artificial intelligence (AI) works best together with us rather than instead of us, say researchers from the University of East London. We provide ethical decisions and context while machines process data. AI may strengthen our thinking and decision-making.
In a new study, Susan Akinwalere and Kirk Chang, both from the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, which is part of the University of East London, examined how human and artificial intelligence can work together to improve how knowledge is created and disseminated throughout society.
The researchers, who published their study and findings in the Journal of Knowledge Management (citation below), argued that while AI is great for processing huge quantities of data rapidly and identifying patterns and generating insights, human judgement remains crucial for interpreting these results and making ethical decisions.
They read and analysed 90 research papers that had been published since 2015. The strongest results came from a combination of AI’s speed and scale and our oversight, creativity, and critical thinking. Problem-solving in healthcare, education, management, and research improves considerably with this kind of partnership, they explained.
Beware of over-reliance on AI
According to the authors, we must be careful not to become too reliant on artificial intelligence. We need clear safeguards to make sure that AI systems are completely transparent, fair, and subject to human oversight, particularly in high-risk situations.
Dr. Akinwalere said:
“The real promise of AI is not that it replaces human intelligence, but that it helps people work through complexity faster while leaving judgement, meaning, and responsibility in human hands.”
The researchers believe that this AI–human combination could help organizations build stronger “knowledge ecosystems.” We should not look at AI as a replacement for human expertise, but rather a partner that supports decision-making, innovation, and learning.
Professor Kirk Chang said:
“AI can help us process information at a scale that was not possible before, but knowledge only becomes meaningful when people interpret it, question it, and apply it responsibly.”
Research institutions and other organizations should use artificial intelligence and have systems in place to check AI-generated insights in terms of context, fairness, and integrity.
Quotation:
Akinwalere S, Chang K (2026), “The symbiotic roles of artificial intelligence and human intelligence in advancing knowledge ecosystem”. Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-03-2025-0362
