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Chatbots, robots, smart things: Challenges of designing meaningful interaction with ?Otherware?

Chatbots, robots, smart things: Challenges of designing meaningful interaction with ?Otherware?

Speaker: Marc Hassenzahl – Siegen, Germany
Topic(s): Human Computer Interaction

Abstract

As a rule, humans enter an embodiment relationship with the technologies they use. They tend to act with and through technology without much questioning their own agency. For example, when if write a text with a word processor, you do not question that you are the author of the text, even when the system supports you with spelling suggestions. In this case, the word processor is merely perceived as an extension of one’s own capabilities.

Novel forms of autonomous, learning systems (e.g., robots, machine learning algorithms, “AI”) have the power to fundamentally change this. Through their potential proactivity, lower predictability, lack of transparency, or even appearance (e.g., in case of anthropomorphic robots) they suggest a different type of relationship, namely alterity. Technology is perceived as an counterpart rather than an extension of the self. I call these technologies “otherware”. As a result, human-technology interaction becomes fundamentally social. The predominant interaction metaphors are now “cooperating”, “delegating” or “being in dialog”. In addition, “trust” becomes a central emotional concern when interacting with such technology.

While proponents of autonomous learning systems emphasize the crucial role of these systems in increasing efficiency, their potential impact on human well-being seems less clear. For example, when cooperating with otherware, human agency becomes less questioned. Humans may run into difficulties to attribute successful task achievement to themselves. The consequence is disengagement from work and a loss of work satisfaction and meaning. In addition, a fundamentally social interaction with technology poses the danger of negatively impacting human-human interaction. It may become difficult to distinguish between technology and human co-workers. All these potential problems are not problems of algorithms or robots per se, but a consequence of their particular design, or to be more precise, the particular design of the interaction with those systems.

In the talk, I will critically discuss the emerging challenge of designing an appropriate interaction paradigm for otherware, if human wellbeing ought to remain an important outcome of technology use.

About this Lecture

Number of Slides: 30
Duration: 30 - 60 minutes
Languages Available: English, German
Last Updated:

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