AAAI - Spring Symposia Series, 1997
March 24-26th, 1997
Stanford University
Computational Models for Mixed Initiative Interaction
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In a mixed initiative interaction, direction and control of the interaction
shifts among the participants. Since the information and abilities needed to
solve a problem are distributed among the participating agents, a system
that is collaborating with other users to solve a problem must have the
flexibility to take or relinquish initiative. However, the possiblity of
shifting initiative requires that computer systems include mechanisms for
recognizing when to lead or otherwise take control of an interaction and
when to let others take the initiative. In addition, an interactive system
must be able to take initiative into account in interpreting utterances and
in selecting appropriate responses.
Although issues of initiative and control are crucial to the design of
effective interactive systems, there is as yet no established community
within which one can discuss open questions or propose results. This
symposium will bring together researchers who are interested in developing
theoretical and applied models for mixed-initiative interaction. As a group,
participants will discuss core issues such as the factors that characterize
initiative, and the role that initiative should play in the design of
computer systems. Individuals will also present position statements or
research results that support claims about what knowledge representations or
inference strategies comprise an appropriate model of mixed-initiative
interaction and what computer algorithms might be used to implement them.
Specifically, we will address the following issues:
* What knowledge strategies or knowledge representation schemes (e.g.
plans, logics, etc) are appropriate for modelling initiative, including
but not limited to
o How control or changes in initiative are manifested in the
interaction.
o How taking initiative affects how agents will interpret another
agent's actions or how they choose an appropriate response;
* What algorithms or computer systems can be developed for controlling
mixed-initiative interaction, including but not limited to
o How to decide when it is appropriate to take initiative and how to
alert other participants to the shift.
o How to decide when to relinquish initiative and how to alert other
participants.
o How to detect when another agent is attempting to alter the
control or purpose of the conversation.
This area of research is just reaching the point where the central issues
can be discussed within a focussed community. Identifying and establishing
this community is an appropriate and key function of the proposed AAAI
symposium.
Submissions
Potential participants should submit:
* Name, physical and electronic addresses, also fax number and WWW URL if
available. If several people working together, e.g. collaborating
authors, wish to attend, each should submit separately, but should also
name the others in the group.
* A brief statement describing why you wish to attend and how you believe
that you can contribute to the symposium. List related work that you
have done, papers you have written or programs you have developed. Can
you contribute a demo, a video, a benchmark problem, a brainstorming
exercise?
* A paper for the working notes, no longer than 8 pages. This may be a
research paper, a description of a working system or practical problem
domain, or a position paper.
Send electronic or hard copy versions of this material to
Susan Haller
Computer Science and Engineering Dept.
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Kenosha, Wiconsin 53141-2000 U.S.A.
haller@cs.uwp.edu
This announcement is available as a web page:
http://cs.uwp.edu/staff/haller/Activities/sss-97.html
Organizing Committee
Susan Haller (Co-chair), University of Wisconsin - Parkside
haller@cs.uwp.edu
Susan McRoy (Co-chair), University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee,
mcroy@blatz.cs.uwm.edu
Alan Biermann, Duke University awb@cs.duke.edu
Sandra Carberry, University of Delaware carberry@cis.udel.edu
Curry Guinn, Duke University cig@cs.duke.edu
David Novick, EURISCO David.Novick@onecert.fr
Ronnie Smith, East Carolina University rws@math.ecu.edu
IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
* Submissions: October 25, 1996
* Notification of acceptance: November 25, 1996
* Working notes material due: January 17, 1997
* Spring Symposium Series: March 24-26, 1997
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