In 99.9% of all mode confusion occurrences on this and other automated aircraft, "What's it doing now?" is a statement about training and knowledge, not about the aircraft itself.
This sort of statement reminds me of the earlier one along the lines of "17 years of flying-dont you think flaws in the design would have surfaced by now?"
Lies,damn lies and statistics.
No interface??Plane is controlled by pilot with a controlling veto from computer.Computer downgrades/upgrades its controlling veto in 4 different sets of laws depending on system status.Computer is subject to faulty source data but still has controlling vote.Computer casts this controlling vote on a series of very complex voting algorithms which are susceptible to spiking and hysteresis.Pilot can see and feel and think without any programming but doesnt have the controlling veto.
Sounds like an interface,and a screwy one at that.Give the human final authority and give it instantly and easily(simple switch).