Enterprise technology leaders face a persistent challenge: deciding which tasks to hand over to generative AI and which to keep with humans. A new framework from researchers Tsim, Fendi, and Gutoreva, titled SCAN and published on arXiv, offers a systematic approach to this allocation problem by grounding it in educational psychology.
SCAN stands for Substitute, Complement, Aid, Non-negotiable — four sub-zones that classify tasks based on the learner's current capability and the AI's role. The framework is built on Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development and Metacognition, according to the paper.
The Four Sub-Zones of SCAN
The SCAN framework divides the human-AI interaction space into four distinct categories:
| Sub-Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Substitute | AI fully replaces the human for tasks already mastered. The human delegates the task to AI without active involvement. |
| Complement | AI works alongside the human, enhancing performance on tasks that are within the human's zone of proximal development. |
| Aid | AI provides on-demand assistance (e.g., prompting, hints) for tasks where the human needs scaffolding to progress. |
| Non-negotiable | Tasks that must remain exclusively human, where AI involvement would undermine learning or ethical standards. |
The paper emphasizes that these sub-zones help users metacognitively "scan" their use of Generative AI, deciding in real-time which zone applies.
Application for Knowledge Workers and Students
The authors demonstrate how SCAN can be applied both in the workplace for knowledge workers and in education for students. For a knowledge worker, for example, drafting a routine report might fall under Substitute, while brainstorming new strategies could be Complement or Aid. Critical ethical decisions remain Non-negotiable.
According to the study, the framework is designed to sustain lifelong learning and aims for hybrid intelligence — a combination of human and AI capabilities that outperforms either alone.
Cognitive Load and Human-AI Interaction
SCAN connects to established cognitive science concepts. The paper discusses cognitive load theory, which warns against overloading working memory, and cognitive offloading, where humans rely on external tools to reduce mental effort. It also addresses sycophancy, a tendency of AI to agree with users even when wrong, which can mislead decision-making.
The authors relate SCAN to three decision-making modes in human-AI interactions:
- Automation (AI acts alone)
- Augmentation (AI enhances human performance)
- Collaboration (AI and human work iteratively)
Each mode aligns with different sub-zones: Automation fits Substitute, Augmentation fits Complement, and Collaboration fits Aid.
Future of Work: Upskilling, Deskilling, and Hybrid Intelligence
SCAN directly addresses the future of work, including risks of deskilling when humans rely too heavily on AI. By formalizing when AI should be used, the framework aims to preserve human skills while leveraging AI's strengths. The authors propose that SCAN offers a great starting point before discussing whether GenAI complements or replaces abilities, with a general objective of sustaining lifelong learning.
For CTOs and digital transformation leaders, SCAN provides a structured vocabulary to communicate task allocation strategies across teams. Rather than a binary choice between human or AI, the framework encourages nuanced decisions that balance efficiency, learning, and ethical boundaries.