emotion Papers

We discuss how simulating emotional dialogs with an Embodied Agent requires endowing it with ability to manifest appropriately emotions but also to exploit them in controlling behavior. We then describe a domain-independent testbed to simulate dialogs in affective domains and verify how they change when the context in which interaction occurs is varied. Emotion activation is simulated by dynamic belief networks while dialog simulation is implemented within a logical framework. Read more

Project COGITO aims at an agent-based interface for B-to-C applications that is not merely re-active to some user request, but pro-active and capable of engaging in a goal-directed conversation with the user, e.g., by taking the initiative to recommend new products. The approach combines content-based filtering, where user profiles are generated based on content features extracted from documents that users find relevant, with collaborative filtering which clusters users according to their... Read more

Animated pedagogical agents that inhabit interactive learning environments can exhibit strikingly lifelike behaviors. In addition to providing problem-solving advice in response to students’ activities in the learning environment, these agents may also be able to play a powerful motivational role. To design the most effective agent-based learning environment software, it is essential to understand how students perceive an animated pedagogical agent with regard to affective dimensions such as encouragement, utility, credibility, and clarity. This paper... Read more

Artificial intelligence researchers attempting to create engaging apparently living creatures may find important insight in the work of artists who have explored the idea of believable character. In particular appropriately timed and clearly expressed emotion is a central requirement for believable characters. We discuss these ideas and suggest how they may apply to believable interactive characters which we call "believable agents". Read more