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The current cognitive engineering literature includes a broad range of models of human–automation interaction (HAI) in complex systems. Some of these models characterize types and levels of automation (LOAs) and relate different LOAs to implications for human performance, workload, and situation awareness as bases for systems design. However, some have suggested that the LOAs approach has overlooked key issues that need to be considered during the design process. Others are simply unsatisfied with the current state of the art in modeling HAI. In this paper, I argue that abandoning an existing framework with some utility for design makes little sense unless the cognitive engineering community can provide the broader design community with other sound alternatives. On this basis, I summarize issues with existing definitions of LOAs, including (a) presumptions of human behavior with automation and (b …