Human-agent communication: Connecting research and development in HCI and AI

Abstract

Conversational agents (e.g., chatbots, virtual agents) are becoming part of our everyday lives, from personal assistants, social companions to team support. In recent years, there has been a wave of research on this topic in both the HCI and AI communities, though the two communities approach the research and development of conversational agents with diferent foci and distinct methodologies. In this panel, we bring scholars in the HCI and AI communities together to share their perspectives and identify research topics that the two communities can collaborate on. We invite the CSCW community to reflect on the phenomena, challenges and research opportunities in human-agent communication, as well as the roles of agents in improving our personal, social and organizational lives.