Adaptive Human–Machine Networks

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid convergence of AI, robotics, edge computing, and advanced communication technologies is transforming previously isolated humans and machines into dynamic, networked systems. In these adaptive human–machine networks (A-HMNs), humans and intelligent agents collaborate in real-time, thereby sharing information, making distributed decisions, and adapting across diverse spatial and temporal contexts. These networks go beyond traditional interfaces by embedding learning, coordination, and feedback into sociotechnical systems.

This Special Issue of Machines invites original research and review articles addressing the design, modeling, implementation, and evaluation of A-HMNs across domains such as infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, disaster response, and manufacturing.

Topics of interest include the following:

• System-level modeling (e.g., agent-based, state–space, and network–theoretic);
• Multi-agent coordination and decentralized decision-making;
• Human-in-the-loop learning and hybrid feedback architectures;
• Human–human, human–machine, and machine–machine interfaces in large-scale human–machine networks;
• Emergent behavior and self-organization in human–machine networks;
• Networked sensing, cognition, and actuation;
• Real-world applications and case studies;
• Metrics for resilience, adaptability, explainability, fairness, and inclusivity.

We welcome interdisciplinary contributions on the topics of engineering, computer science, human factors, cognitive science, and systems theory. Submissions may include conceptual frameworks, simulations, empirical evaluations, or policy-relevant analyses.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to advance the understanding of how adaptive human–machine networks can be designed to operate responsibly, robustly, and intelligently in complex real-world environments.

Dr. Jiangbo Yu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• machine learning
• adaptive systems
• human–machine collaboration
• distributed intelligence
• multi-agent systems
• human-in-the-loop
• cyber–physical–social systems
• sociotechnical systems
• reinforcement learning
• trustworthy AI
• self-organizing systems, resilient networks, human-centered AI
• ethical AI systems