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The benefits of the personalization and adaptation of computer applications to each user have been widely reported in recent decades. Educational applications are not an exception, both in e-learning, i.e. the use of electronic media to teach or assess, and b-learning blended learning), i.e. to combine traditional face-to-face instruction with electronic media.

Pedagogic Conversational Agents (PCAs) can be defined as virtual characters, which can teach or be taught by students in a domain, and even to serve as learner companions to void the so-called isolation problem of computer-based education. PCAs can be animated, and may consist only of a face, or have a full body (embodied conversational agents). Given that the educational application keeps a learner model, the PCA could use this to adapt the information presented to the user. It is therefore expected that the interaction will not only be more natural, but also more efficient, because it will be focused on the needs and preferences of each student.

Call for papers: International Workshop on Adaptation and Personalization in E-B/Learning using Pedagogic Conversational Agents June 21th, 2010, Hawaii, USA.

This proof of concept of Intel Digital Signage is designed to let retail customers touch its holographic screen to virtually tour a store, shop for products, learn about sales, read customer reviews, submit their own reviews, and share feedback with family and friends through integration with social networks and cell phones.

The world’s first sex robot ‘Roxxxy’ by TrueCompanion knows your name, your likes and dislikes, can carry on a discussion and expresses her love to you and be your loving friend. She can talk to you, listen to you and feel your touch.

Inf.net is a community of virtual talking characters (we call them “infs”). Users can create their own infs, design their appearance and then teach them and post on blogs, social networks and homepages. Infs are like chatbots but individual, customizable and look great

Found on GetAFreeLancer.com: ChatBots - a small research project, job for a freelancer. Write a chatbot based on Elize. Write a report. Earn marks, whatever that may be. More below.

Efficient online self-service is essential for online retailers-particularly since 57% of U.S. online consumers say they are very likely to abandon an online purchase if they cannot find quick answers to their questions, says a new Forrester Research Inc. report.

Virtual agents represent an efficient option to bolster a company’s self-service options, particularly since they reduce customer service operational costs by deflecting agent-assisted costs because they lower the number of customers who call a contact center. Virtual agents-typically with a digitalized human appearance-are software services that provide automated assistance by simulating a two-way conversation in which they can help customers do anything from perform online tasks to locate online information.

Virtual worlds and AI specialists Daden Limited have a global reputation for innovation in virtual worlds such as Second Life and develop virtual world and chatbot/AI solutions for enterprise users, particular in support of education/training, building and data visualisation and collaboration. They are currently recruiting for 4 permanent roles, all based at their offices in Birmingham UK. Details below.

The Chatterbox Challenge (CBC) is an annual contest which starts in mid March that allow any chatbot developer to participate and evaluate the intelligence of the chatbot through turing tests and much more. It is a really fun, simple and inclusive way for all children to practise their speech and language skills, it will be also interesting and amazing for anyone who wants to chat with the best chatbots.

eGain Communications has just released Assistant 5.0, a conversational agent that can help Web site visitors search, solve problems and purchase items via typed exchanges in conversational English.

The company says the new virtual agent learns faster and more efficiently than its predecessors, automatically converting existing knowledge—typically in the form of FAQs—into the “cases” in its knowledge base with a claimed success rate of 90%, nearly double the previous rate. The company explains that a case is a set of questions such as “Do you accept credit cards?” “Which credit cards do you take?”, for which there is a unique answer, such as “We accept VISA, MasterCard and American Express.”

Recent research on context-aware computing, such as avatars, has shown many benefits for businesses. According to Virtuoz vice president Mark Gaydos there are 4 ways how avatar virtual agents can help companies (from allbusiness.com)

With James Cameron’s highly anticipated sci-fi movie Avatar opening this weekend, we had to find out if avatars can help businesses in the real world as much as they help humans in fictitious alien worlds.

Unlike the 10-foot tall blue avatars in Cameron’s movie, Web site avatars aren’t science fiction; they’re “real” virtual agents that provide customer service worldwide. These self-service software applications (which can appear as an animation or a picture of a real person) are intelligent, engaging personalities that help Internet customers find solutions faster and more efficiently.

The Michelin Man avatar, for example, not only answers questions about Michelin tires, but can also engage in conversations about how old he is and whether he has a girlfriend.