For Nicole Toomey, a PhD candidate at Deakin University, trust isn’t just a feeling, it’s a measurable factor in high-risk human-automation interactions. Her research delves into understanding and optimising trust between humans and machines, a concept that took on new dimensions when she stepped into the real-world setting of Agent-Oriented Software (AOS) Pty Ltd.
AOS collaborates with industries spanning defence, agriculture, mining, and aerospace, pushing the boundaries of intelligent software and autonomous robotics. Through her internship, Nicole found herself at the heart of innovation, applying her expertise in trust to tangible software systems and user interfaces designed to enhance human-machine teaming.
“During the internship, I had the opportunity to meet with Defence personnel and gain insight into their expectations of autonomy in specific settings,” Nicole shared. “This experience was invaluable in shaping my understanding of how user expectations influence the development of automated systems, ensuring they foster appropriate trust and reliance.”
At AOS, Nicole worked alongside software engineers, immersing herself in their problem-solving approach and team dynamics. One of her greatest challenges was shifting from an academic mindset, where problems are explored through extensive literature reviews, to an industry-driven approach focused on delivering immediate, practical solutions. This transition not only built her confidence but also reinforced her ability to propose research-backed outcomes in real time.
Nicole’s biggest achievement was developing user interface solutions that optimise trust in human-machine interactions without the need for exhaustive theoretical groundwork. This shift in mindset, from academia to industry, proved to be a turning point in her professional journey.
Nicole’s internship at AOS was more than just an academic exercise, it was a step toward bridging the gap between research and real-world application. By integrating human-centered design principles with advanced AI and automation, her work contributes to a broader movement ensuring that autonomous technologies remain as safe, reliable, and intuitive as possible.
Her experience underscores the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of AI and automation, where trust is not just an abstract concept but a fundamental component of innovation.
Nicole Toomey is a recipient of the DSI subsidy and WiSE subsidy.
Nicole Toomey is completing a PhD from Deakin University
