Time-offset interaction with a holocaust survivor

Authors:
Ron Artstein;David Traum;Oleg Alexander;Anton Leuski;Andrew Jones;Kallirroi Georgila;Paul Debevec;William Swartout;Heather Maio;Stephen Smith
Affiliations:
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Playa Vista, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Playa Vista, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Playa Vista, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Playa Vista, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;Conscience Display, Coronado, CA, USA;University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Venue:
Proceedings of the 19th international conference on Intelligent User Interfaces
Year:
2014

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Abstract

Time-offset interaction is a new technology that allows for two-way communication with a person who is not available for conversation in real time: a large set of statements are prepared in advance, and users access these statements through natural conversation that mimics face-to-face interaction. Conversational reactions to user questions are retrieved through a statistical classifier, using technology that is similar to previous interactive systems with synthetic characters; however, all of the retrieved utterances are genuine statements by a real person. Recordings of answers, listening and idle behaviors, and blending techniques are used to create a persistent visual image of the person throughout the interaction. A proof-of-concept has been implemented using the likeness of Pinchas Gutter, a Holocaust survivor, enabling short conversations about his family, his religious views, and resistance. This proof-of-concept has been shown to dozens of people, from school children to Holocaust scholars, with many commenting on the impact of the experience and potential for this kind of interface.