Intelligent user interfaces

With a background of studying software agents and user interfaces, I’ve always tried to come to grips with the conflicting views of user needs that the two fields have. Some thoughts on the matter.

I’ve fiddled around with software agents and usability for quite some time during my studies. Because of my work I haven’t lately had time to follow the new developments in both fields, but there are a few quotes I’d like to share and discuss the conflict that the two fields have in their perception of user needs. Disclaimer: I don’t think that the conflict is as pronounced as I make it to be and none of the quotes presented have been tied together anywhere else but in my mind.