Centaur vs. Cyborg Workflows

Definition

Two distinct paradigms of human-AI collaboration identified by Ethan Mollick and organizational researchers:

1. Centaur Workflows: A clear division of labor where tasks are partitioned into distinct human and machine stages (e.g., human outlines $\to$ AI generates draft $\to$ human edits).
2. Cyborg Workflows: A deeply integrated, continuous mesh where human and machine work simultaneously at the sub-task level (e.g., continuous co-writing, real-time code autocompletion, interactive canvas dialogue).

Key Characteristics

• Centaur: Modular, easily auditable, distinct handoff boundaries.
• Cyborg: Fluid, emergent, high creative velocity, porous boundaries of authorship.

Applications

• Creative writing, generative design, and pair programming in creative coding studios.
• AI workflow orchestration.

Mentions in Source

• “Contrasts division-of-labor handoffs (Centaur) with deeply intertwined, continuous mesh interaction (Cyborg).” — Co-Intelligence