@conference {1003, title = {Time-offset interaction with a Holocaust survivor}, booktitle = {Intelligent User Interfaces}, year = {2014}, month = {02/2014}, publisher = {ACM}, organization = {ACM}, address = {Haifa, Israel}, 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.}, doi = {10.1145/2557500.2557540}, author = {Ron Artstein and Traum, David and Oleg Alexander and Anton Leuski and Andrew Jones and Kallirroi Georgila and Paul Debevec and William Swartout and Heather Maio and Stephen Smith} }