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Simulating Human Imprecision in Temporal Statements of Intelligent Virtual Agents

Published: 29 April 2022 Publication History

Abstract

Research on intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) often concerns the implementation of human-like behavior by integrating artificial intelligence algorithms. Thus far, few studies focused on mimicry of cognitive imperfections inherent to humans in IVAs. Neglecting to implement such imperfect behavior in IVAs might result in less believable or engaging human-agent interactions. In this paper, we simulate human imprecision in conversational IVAs’ temporal statements. We conducted a survey to identify temporal statement patterns, transferred them to a conversational IVA, and conducted a user study evaluating the effects of time precision on perceived anthropomorphism and usefulness. Statistical analyses reveal significant interaction between time precision and agents’ use of memory aids, indicating that (i) imprecise agents are perceived as more human-like than precise agents when responding immediately, and (ii) unnaturally high levels of temporal precision can be compensated for by memory aid use. Further findings underscore the value of continued inquiry into cultural variations.

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Cited By

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  • (2024)Natural Expression of a Machine Learning Model's Uncertainty Through Verbal and Non-Verbal Behavior of Intelligent Virtual AgentsProceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology10.1145/3654777.3676454(1-15)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
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cover image ACM Conferences
CHI '22: Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
April 2022
10459 pages
ISBN:9781450391573
DOI:10.1145/3491102
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Published: 29 April 2022

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  1. conversational agents
  2. intelligent virtual agents
  3. time perception

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CHI '22: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
April 29 - May 5, 2022
LA, New Orleans, USA

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View all
  • (2024)Natural Expression of a Machine Learning Model's Uncertainty Through Verbal and Non-Verbal Behavior of Intelligent Virtual AgentsProceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology10.1145/3654777.3676454(1-15)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
  • (2024)AI Comes Out of the Closet: Using AI-Generated Virtual Characters to Help Individuals Practice LGBTQIA+ AdvocacyProceedings of the 29th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces10.1145/3640543.3645213(686-698)Online publication date: 18-Mar-2024
  • (2024)AI-Generated Media for Exploring Alternate RealitiesExtended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613905.3650861(1-8)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
  • (2023)Is High-Fidelity Important for Human-like Virtual Avatars in Human Computer Interactions?International Journal of Network Dynamics and Intelligence10.53941/ijndi0201008(15-23)Online publication date: 27-Mar-2023

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