Exploring how information systems evolve from abstract digital entities to tangible, physical systems that interact with our real world
Imagine your morning coffee order—a simple transaction that instantly updates inventory, adjusts supply chain forecasts, and personalizes future offers. This everyday ritual is powered by a complex information ecosystem that seamlessly blends the digital and physical realms. We often think of information systems as abstract computer programs, but they are increasingly embodied entities that sense, analyze, and interact with our physical world in profound ways 1 . From smart watches tracking our biometrics to global supply networks automatically restocking shelves, information systems have evolved beyond mere databases into active participants that shape our daily experiences and decisions.
of business processes now integrate digital and physical systems
faster decision making with embodied systems
reduction in physical errors with AR interfaces
The concept of "embodying" information systems represents a paradigm shift in how we understand the relationship between digital information and physical reality. It refers to the growing capacity of these systems to collect real-world data, process it within sophisticated digital frameworks, and then manifest decisions through physical actuators, interfaces, and interventions. This embodiment represents the next frontier in our technological evolution, where the boundary between bits and atoms becomes increasingly blurred, creating systems that don't just store information but actively engage with and influence our physical reality 2 .
Just as a human body requires skeleton, organs, and nervous systems to function, an information system embodies itself through five essential components that work in concert:
These are the physical devices—computers, servers, networks, storage devices, and sensors—that form the tangible structure of any information system. Like a skeleton, hardware provides the fundamental framework that supports all other functions, collecting, processing, and storing data from the physical world 2 .
The programs and applications that run on hardware represent the system's processing capabilities. Ranging from operating systems to specialized business applications, software functions as the brain of the system, transforming raw data into meaningful information through logical operations and algorithms 2 .
Raw facts and figures constitute the system's connection to reality. When processed into meaningful information, data provides context and understanding about people, places, and things, much like how sensory input allows organisms to comprehend and navigate their environment 2 .
The individuals who use, design, and maintain information systems serve as its conscious intelligence. From end-users inputting and retrieving data to IT professionals developing and maintaining the system, people provide the purposeful direction that guides system function 2 .
Sets of instructions and rules that govern system use establish consistent operations much like instinctual behaviors in biological organisms. Standard operating procedures ensure reliability and predictability in how the system functions across various scenarios 2 .
When these five components work together seamlessly, they create a fully embodied information system that can effectively bridge the digital and physical worlds, transforming abstract data into tangible actions and outcomes in real-world environments 2 .
Just as organisms occupy different ecological niches, information systems have evolved distinct types to serve various organizational levels and functions:
Handle the day-to-day operations of an organization, processing routine transactions like orders and payroll. These systems serve frontline staff, providing the operational data needed for daily business functions 2 .
Support middle managers with reports and summaries that help track performance and inform tactical decisions. These systems transform raw operational data into meaningful management metrics 2 .
Assist senior managers in making structured decisions by providing interactive tools and data analysis capabilities. These systems enhance managerial judgment with computational power 2 .
Cater to the strategic needs of top executives, offering high-level insights for long-term planning and goal setting. These systems focus on the big picture, often incorporating external data alongside internal metrics 2 .
Increasingly, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems integrate these various system types, creating unified platforms that coordinate business processes across entire organizations, much like a nervous system coordinates different bodily functions 2 .
The embodiment of information systems has created new opportunities for scientific inquiry through digital experimentation. At the forefront of this movement is the Conference on Digital Experimentation at MIT (CODE@MIT), which brings together researchers from economics, computer science, sociology, and industry to advance our understanding of how these systems interact with human behavior 1 .
Digital experimentation represents a paradigm shift in research methodology, allowing scientists to rapidly deploy and iterate randomized experiments in complex digital environments. This approach has revolutionized our capacity to address complex causal questions about how social behaviors influence macro-level outcomes such as health, voting patterns, consumer demand, and information diffusion 1 .
| Interface Type | Employee Task Completion Rate | Error Rate in Inventory Management | Customer Satisfaction Score | Physical Movement Efficiency (meters/shift) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text-Based UI | 72% | 8.5% | 4.1/10 | 5,200 |
| Graphical UI | 85% | 4.2% | 6.8/10 | 4,350 |
| Touch Interface | 94% | 2.1% | 8.5/10 | 3,150 |
| Augmented Reality | 98% | 0.9% | 9.2/10 | 2,400 |
The data reveals a clear progression: as interfaces become more intuitive and embodied (moving from text to augmented reality), significant improvements occur across all measured dimensions. The reduction in physical movement is particularly noteworthy—employees traveled nearly 54% less with augmented reality interfaces compared to text-based systems, indicating more efficient physical workflows 1 7 .
The pattern is consistent and compelling: more deeply embodied systems (wearables) maintain higher decision quality across all challenging conditions, particularly during time pressure and information overload. This suggests that embodiment helps offload cognitive effort, allowing users to focus on critical decision elements rather than system interaction mechanics 1 7 .
These results demonstrate that embodied information systems drive continuous improvement in physical operations, suggesting that as users become more accustomed to these systems, they find increasingly sophisticated ways to leverage them for tangible benefits 1 7 .
Just as biological research requires specific reagents and tools, experimentation in embodied information systems relies on a sophisticated toolkit that bridges digital and physical domains.
| Tool Category | Specific Tools & Technologies | Primary Function in Research |
|---|---|---|
| Sensing Technologies | IoT sensors, biometric monitors, computer vision systems | Capture real-world physical data and translate it into digital formats for system processing |
| Analysis Platforms | Statistical software (R, Python), machine learning frameworks | Process complex datasets to identify patterns and relationships between digital systems and physical outcomes |
| Experimental Frameworks | A/B testing platforms, feature flag systems, digital experimentation tools | Enable controlled experimentation by randomly assigning different system versions to users |
| Embodiment Interfaces | AR/VR hardware, touch displays, voice interfaces, haptic feedback systems | Translate digital information into physical interactions that users can see, hear, or feel |
| Data Integration Tools | API management platforms, data pipelines, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tools | Connect disparate data sources to create unified views of digital-physical interactions |
| Simulation Environments | Digital twins, virtual prototypes, computational models | Create simulated physical environments where system designs can be tested safely and economically |
Source: Research compilation from CODE@MIT and related studies 4 9
These research tools function as the essential "reagents" that enable the scientific study of how information systems embody themselves in physical contexts. For instance, the combination of IoT sensors with machine learning platforms allows researchers to study how system-generated recommendations influence physical movement patterns in warehouses or retail environments 4 9 .
Advanced simulation environments, particularly digital twin technologies, have emerged as particularly valuable research tools. These create virtual replicas of physical environments that can be used to test system embodiments without disrupting real-world operations. Similarly, A/B testing frameworks adapted from digital contexts are increasingly deployed to study how different system embodiments influence physical behaviors and outcomes 1 9 .
The embodiment of information systems represents a fundamental shift in our relationship with technology—from tools we use to environments we inhabit. As these systems become increasingly woven into the fabric of our physical reality, they challenge us to reconsider traditional boundaries between digital and physical, virtual and real. The coffee order that automatically adjusts global supply chains is merely one visible expression of this deeper integration—a sign of how information systems have developed bodies that interact directly with our own.
The experimental research reveals a consistent pattern: as information systems become more deeply embodied, they transform from passive repositories of data into active participants in our physical world. This embodiment brings tremendous benefits—efficiency gains, error reduction, enhanced decision-making—but also raises important questions about dependency, privacy, and the preservation of human agency. The science of digital experimentation provides the methodology we need to navigate this transition thoughtfully, studying these embodied systems with the same rigor we would apply to any force that significantly shapes human experience.
Looking ahead, the embodiment of information systems will only accelerate with advances in augmented reality, robotics, and ambient computing. Our challenge lies not in resisting this embodiment, but in shaping it with intention—designing systems that enhance rather than diminish our humanity, that amplify our capabilities without constraining our autonomy. In this endeavor, the continued scientific study of how these systems interact with our physical world remains essential—illuminating the path toward embodiments that honor both technological potential and human values.