Publications
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1.
Georgila, Kallirroi; Pynadath, David V.
Towards a Computational Model of Human Opinion Dynamics in Response to Real-World Events Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of The 29th International FLAIRS Conference, pp. 44–49, AAAI Press, Key Largo, FL, 2016.
@inproceedings{georgila_towards_2016,
title = {Towards a Computational Model of Human Opinion Dynamics in Response to Real-World Events},
author = {Kallirroi Georgila and David V. Pynadath},
url = {http://www.aaai.org/ocs/index.php/FLAIRS/FLAIRS16/paper/view/12960/12539},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-03-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of The 29th International FLAIRS Conference},
pages = {44–49},
publisher = {AAAI Press},
address = {Key Largo, FL},
abstract = {Accurate multiagent social simulation requires a computational model of how people incorporate their observations of real-world events into their beliefs about the state of their world. Current methods for creating such agent-based models typically rely on manual input that can be both burdensome and subjective. In this investigation, we instead pursue automated methods that can translate available data into the desired computational models. For this purpose, we use a corpus of real-world events in combination with longitudinal public opinion polls on a variety of opinion issues. We perform two experiments using automated methods taken from the literature. In our first experiment, we train maximum entropy classifiers to model changes in opinion scores as a function of real-world events. We measure and analyze the accuracy of our learned classifiers by comparing the opinion scores they generate against the opinion scores occurring in a held-out subset of our corpus. In our second experiment, we learn Bayesian networks to capture the same function.We then compare the dependency structures induced by the two methods to identify the event features that have the most significant effect on changes in public opinion.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Accurate multiagent social simulation requires a computational model of how people incorporate their observations of real-world events into their beliefs about the state of their world. Current methods for creating such agent-based models typically rely on manual input that can be both burdensome and subjective. In this investigation, we instead pursue automated methods that can translate available data into the desired computational models. For this purpose, we use a corpus of real-world events in combination with longitudinal public opinion polls on a variety of opinion issues. We perform two experiments using automated methods taken from the literature. In our first experiment, we train maximum entropy classifiers to model changes in opinion scores as a function of real-world events. We measure and analyze the accuracy of our learned classifiers by comparing the opinion scores they generate against the opinion scores occurring in a held-out subset of our corpus. In our second experiment, we learn Bayesian networks to capture the same function.We then compare the dependency structures induced by the two methods to identify the event features that have the most significant effect on changes in public opinion.
2.
Stratou, Giota; Morency, Louis-Philippe; DeVault, David; Hartholt, Arno; Fast, Edward; Lhommet, Margaux; Lucas, Gale; Morbini, Fabrizio; Georgila, Kallirroi; Scherer, Stefan; Gratch, Jonathan; Stacy, Marcella; Traum, David; Rizzo, Albert
A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews Proceedings Article
In: Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on, pp. 787–789, IEEE, Xi'an, China, 2015.
@inproceedings{stratou_demonstration_2015,
title = {A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews},
author = {Giota Stratou and Louis-Philippe Morency and David DeVault and Arno Hartholt and Edward Fast and Margaux Lhommet and Gale Lucas and Fabrizio Morbini and Kallirroi Georgila and Stefan Scherer and Jonathan Gratch and Marcella Stacy and David Traum and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=7344661},
doi = {10.1109/ACII.2015.7344661},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-09-01},
booktitle = {Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on},
pages = {787–789},
publisher = {IEEE},
address = {Xi'an, China},
abstract = {We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.
3.
Kang, Sin-Hwa; Feng, Andrew; Leuski, Anton; Casas, Dan; Shapiro, Ari
Smart Mobile Virtual Humans: “Chat with Me!” Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), pp. 475–478, Springer, Delft, Netherlands, 2015.
@inproceedings{kang_smart_2015,
title = {Smart Mobile Virtual Humans: “Chat with Me!”},
author = {Sin-Hwa Kang and Andrew Feng and Anton Leuski and Dan Casas and Ari Shapiro},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Smart%20Mobile%20Virtual%20Humans%20-%20Chat%20with%20Me.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-21996-7},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-08-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
pages = {475–478},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Delft, Netherlands},
abstract = {In this study, we are interested in exploring whether people would talk with 3D animated virtual humans using a smartphone for a longer amount of time as a sign of feeling rapport [5], compared to non-animated or audio-only characters in everyday life. Based on previous studies [2, 7, 10], users prefer animated characters in emotionally engaged interactions when the characters were displayed on mobile devices, yet in a lab setting. We aimed to reach a broad range of users outside of the lab in natural settings to investigate the potential of our virtual human on smartphones to facilitate casual, yet emotionally engaging conversation. We also found that the literature has not reached a consensus regarding the ideal gaze patterns for a virtual human, one thing researchers agree on is that inappropriate gaze could negatively impact conversations at times, even worse than receiving no visual feedback at all [1, 4]. Everyday life may bring the experience of awkwardness or uncomfortable sentiments in reaction to continuous mutual gaze. On the other hand, gaze aversion could also make a speaker think their partner is not listening. Our work further aims to address this question of what constitutes appropriate eye gaze in emotionally engaged interactions. We developed a 3D animated and chat-based virtual human which presented emotionally expressive nonverbal behaviors such as facial expressions, head gestures, gaze, and other upper body movements (see Figure 1). The virtual human displayed appropriate gaze that was either consisted of constant mutual gaze or gaze aversion based on a statistical model of saccadic eye movement [8] while listening. Both gaze patterns were accompanied by other forms of appropriate nonverbal feedback. To explore the question of optimal communicative medium, we distributed our virtual human application to users via an app store for Android-powered phones (i.e. Google Play Store) in order to target users who owned a smartphone and could use our application in various natural settings.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this study, we are interested in exploring whether people would talk with 3D animated virtual humans using a smartphone for a longer amount of time as a sign of feeling rapport [5], compared to non-animated or audio-only characters in everyday life. Based on previous studies [2, 7, 10], users prefer animated characters in emotionally engaged interactions when the characters were displayed on mobile devices, yet in a lab setting. We aimed to reach a broad range of users outside of the lab in natural settings to investigate the potential of our virtual human on smartphones to facilitate casual, yet emotionally engaging conversation. We also found that the literature has not reached a consensus regarding the ideal gaze patterns for a virtual human, one thing researchers agree on is that inappropriate gaze could negatively impact conversations at times, even worse than receiving no visual feedback at all [1, 4]. Everyday life may bring the experience of awkwardness or uncomfortable sentiments in reaction to continuous mutual gaze. On the other hand, gaze aversion could also make a speaker think their partner is not listening. Our work further aims to address this question of what constitutes appropriate eye gaze in emotionally engaged interactions. We developed a 3D animated and chat-based virtual human which presented emotionally expressive nonverbal behaviors such as facial expressions, head gestures, gaze, and other upper body movements (see Figure 1). The virtual human displayed appropriate gaze that was either consisted of constant mutual gaze or gaze aversion based on a statistical model of saccadic eye movement [8] while listening. Both gaze patterns were accompanied by other forms of appropriate nonverbal feedback. To explore the question of optimal communicative medium, we distributed our virtual human application to users via an app store for Android-powered phones (i.e. Google Play Store) in order to target users who owned a smartphone and could use our application in various natural settings.
4.
Rizzo, Albert; Scherer, Stefan; DeVault, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Artstein, Ron; Hartholt, Arno; Lucas, Gale; Marsella, Stacy; Morbini, Fabrizio; Nazarian, Angela; Stratou, Giota; Traum, David; Wood, Rachel; Boberg, Jill; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014, International Journal of Disability and Human Development, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2014.
@inproceedings{rizzo_detection_2014,
title = {Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Stefan Scherer and David DeVault and Jonathan Gratch and Ron Artstein and Arno Hartholt and Gale Lucas and Stacy Marsella and Fabrizio Morbini and Angela Nazarian and Giota Stratou and David Traum and Rachel Wood and Jill Boberg and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Detection%20and%20Computational%20Analysis%20of%20Psychological%20Signals%20Using%20a%20Virtual%20Human%20Interviewing%20Agent.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014},
publisher = {International Journal of Disability and Human Development},
address = {Gothenburg, Sweden},
abstract = {It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.
5.
Traum, David; DeVault, David; Lee, Jina; Wang, Zhiyang; Marsella, Stacy C.
Incremental Dialogue Understanding and Feedback for Multi-party, Multimodal Conversation Proceedings Article
In: The 12th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), Santa Cruz, CA, 2012.
@inproceedings{traum_incremental_2012,
title = {Incremental Dialogue Understanding and Feedback for Multi-party, Multimodal Conversation},
author = {David Traum and David DeVault and Jina Lee and Zhiyang Wang and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Incremental%20Dialogue%20Understanding%20and%20Feedback%20for%20Multi-party%20Multimodal%20Conversation.pdf},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-09-01},
booktitle = {The 12th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
address = {Santa Cruz, CA},
abstract = {In order to provide comprehensive listening behavior, virtual humans engaged in dialogue need to incrementally listen, interpret, understand, and react to what someone is saying, in real time, as they are saying it. In this paper, we describe an implemented system for engaging in multiparty dialogue, including incremental understanding and a range of feedback. We present an FML message extension for feedback in multipary dialogue that can be connected to a feedback realizer. We also describe how the important aspects of that message are calculated by different modules involved in partial input processing as a speaker is talking in a multiparty dialogue.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In order to provide comprehensive listening behavior, virtual humans engaged in dialogue need to incrementally listen, interpret, understand, and react to what someone is saying, in real time, as they are saying it. In this paper, we describe an implemented system for engaging in multiparty dialogue, including incremental understanding and a range of feedback. We present an FML message extension for feedback in multipary dialogue that can be connected to a feedback realizer. We also describe how the important aspects of that message are calculated by different modules involved in partial input processing as a speaker is talking in a multiparty dialogue.
6.
Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Leuski, Anton; Morency, Louis-Philippe; Marsella, Stacy C.; Liewer, Matt; Doraiswamy, Prathibha; Weiss, Lori; LeMasters, Kim; Fast, Edward; Sadek, Ramy; Marshall, Andrew; Lee, Jina; Thiebaux, Marcus; Tsiartas, Andreas
At the Virtual Frontier: Introducing Gunslinger, a Multi- Character, Mixed-Reality, Story-Driven Experience Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2009.
@inproceedings{hartholt_at_2009,
title = {At the Virtual Frontier: Introducing Gunslinger, a Multi- Character, Mixed-Reality, Story-Driven Experience},
author = {Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and Anton Leuski and Louis-Philippe Morency and Stacy C. Marsella and Matt Liewer and Prathibha Doraiswamy and Lori Weiss and Kim LeMasters and Edward Fast and Ramy Sadek and Andrew Marshall and Jina Lee and Marcus Thiebaux and Andreas Tsiartas},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/At%20the%20Virtual%20Frontier-%20Introducing%20Gunslinger%20a%20Multi-%20Character%20Mixed-Reality%20Story-Driven%20Experience.pdf},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
address = {Amsterdam, The Netherlands},
abstract = {We describe an application of intelligent virtual agents to the domain of mixed-reality interactive entertainment. Gunslinger allows users to interact with life-sized virtual humans within the context of a wild west story world. The application incorporates a novel integration of capabilities including gesture and spoken language recognition, story and dialogue reasoning, and multi-character, multi-modal behavior generation and synthesis. The article describes our design process, technological innovations, and initial feedback from user interactions with the system.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We describe an application of intelligent virtual agents to the domain of mixed-reality interactive entertainment. Gunslinger allows users to interact with life-sized virtual humans within the context of a wild west story world. The application incorporates a novel integration of capabilities including gesture and spoken language recognition, story and dialogue reasoning, and multi-character, multi-modal behavior generation and synthesis. The article describes our design process, technological innovations, and initial feedback from user interactions with the system.
7.
Traum, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Hartholt, Arno; Marsella, Stacy C.; Lee, Jina
Multi-party, Multi-issue, Multi-strategy Negotiation for Multi-modal Virtual Agents Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, pp. 117–130, Tokyo, Japan, 2008.
@inproceedings{traum_multi-party_2008,
title = {Multi-party, Multi-issue, Multi-strategy Negotiation for Multi-modal Virtual Agents},
author = {David Traum and Jonathan Gratch and Arno Hartholt and Stacy C. Marsella and Jina Lee},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Multi-party,%20Multi-issue,%20Multi-strategy%20Negotiation.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-09-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents},
pages = {117–130},
address = {Tokyo, Japan},
abstract = {We present a model of negotiation for virtual agents that extends previous work to be more human-like and applicable to a broader range of situations, including more than two negotiators with different goals, and negotiating over multiple options. The agents can dynamically change their negotiating strategies based on the current values of several parameters and factors that can be updated in the course of the negotiation.We have implemented this model and done preliminary evaluation within a prototype training system and a three-party negotiation with two virtual humans and one human.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present a model of negotiation for virtual agents that extends previous work to be more human-like and applicable to a broader range of situations, including more than two negotiators with different goals, and negotiating over multiple options. The agents can dynamically change their negotiating strategies based on the current values of several parameters and factors that can be updated in the course of the negotiation.We have implemented this model and done preliminary evaluation within a prototype training system and a three-party negotiation with two virtual humans and one human.
8.
Lee, Jina; DeVault, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Traum, David
Thoughts on FML: Behavior Generation in the Virtual Human Communication Architecture Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) First Functional Markup Language Workshop, Estoril, Portugal, 2008.
@inproceedings{lee_thoughts_2008,
title = {Thoughts on FML: Behavior Generation in the Virtual Human Communication Architecture},
author = {Jina Lee and David DeVault and Stacy C. Marsella and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Thoughts%20on%20FML.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-05-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) First Functional Markup Language Workshop},
address = {Estoril, Portugal},
abstract = {We discuss our current architecture for the generation of natural language and non-verbal behavior in ICT virtual humans. We draw on our experience developing this archi- tecture to present our current perspective on several issues related to the standardization of FML and to the SAIBA framework more generally. In particular, we discuss our current use, and non-use, of FML-inspired representations in generating natural language, eye gaze, and emotional dis- plays. We also comment on some of the shortcomings of our design as currently implemented.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We discuss our current architecture for the generation of natural language and non-verbal behavior in ICT virtual humans. We draw on our experience developing this archi- tecture to present our current perspective on several issues related to the standardization of FML and to the SAIBA framework more generally. In particular, we discuss our current use, and non-use, of FML-inspired representations in generating natural language, eye gaze, and emotional dis- plays. We also comment on some of the shortcomings of our design as currently implemented.
9.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.
A Virtual Human Dialogue Model for Non-team Interaction Book Section
In: Recent Trends in Discourse and Dialogue, vol. 39, pp. 45–67, Springer, Dordecht, The Netherlands, 2008.
@incollection{traum_virtual_2008,
title = {A Virtual Human Dialogue Model for Non-team Interaction},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/A%20Virtual%20Human%20Dialogue%20Model%20for%20Non-team%20Interaction.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
booktitle = {Recent Trends in Discourse and Dialogue},
volume = {39},
pages = {45–67},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Dordecht, The Netherlands},
series = {Text, Speech and Language Technology},
abstract = {We describe the dialogue model for the virtual humans developed at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. The dialogue model contains a rich set of information state and dialogue moves to allow a wide range of behaviour in multimodal, multiparty interaction. We extend this model to enable non-team negotiation, using ideas from social science literature on negotiation and implemented strategies and dialogue moves for this area. We present a virtual human doctor who uses this model to engage in multimodal negotiation dialogue with people from other organisations. The doctor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team interactions.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
We describe the dialogue model for the virtual humans developed at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. The dialogue model contains a rich set of information state and dialogue moves to allow a wide range of behaviour in multimodal, multiparty interaction. We extend this model to enable non-team negotiation, using ideas from social science literature on negotiation and implemented strategies and dialogue moves for this area. We present a virtual human doctor who uses this model to engage in multimodal negotiation dialogue with people from other organisations. The doctor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team interactions.
10.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Swartout, William; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Piepol, Diane
Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments Proceedings Article
In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Orlando, FL, 2007.
@inproceedings{kenny_building_2007,
title = {Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and William Swartout and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and Diane Piepol},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Building%20Interactive%20Virtual%20Humans%20for%20Training%20Environments.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-11-01},
booktitle = {Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.
11.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Swartout, William
The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans Proceedings Article
In: AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, pp. 1970–1971, 2007.
@inproceedings{kenny_more_2007,
title = {The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and William Swartout},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/The%20More%20the%20Merrier-%20Multi-Party%20Negotiation%20with%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-07-01},
booktitle = {AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence},
volume = {2},
pages = {1970–1971},
abstract = {The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.
12.
Lee, Jina; Marsella, Stacy C.; Traum, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Lance, Brent
The Rickel Gaze Model: A Window on the Mind of a Virtual Human Proceedings Article
In: Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), pp. 296–303, Paris, France, 2007.
@inproceedings{lee_rickel_2007,
title = {The Rickel Gaze Model: A Window on the Mind of a Virtual Human},
author = {Jina Lee and Stacy C. Marsella and David Traum and Jonathan Gratch and Brent Lance},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/The%20Rickel%20Gaze%20Model-%20A%20Window%20on%20the%20Mind%20of%20a%20Virtual%20Human.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
volume = {4722},
pages = {296–303},
address = {Paris, France},
abstract = {Gaze plays a large number of cognitive, communicative and affective roles in face-to-face human interaction. To build a believable virtual human, it is imperative to construct a gaze model that generates realistic gaze behaviors. However, it is not enough to merely imitate a person's eye movements. The gaze behaviors should reflect the internal states of the virtual human and users should be able to derive them by observing the behaviors. In this paper, we present a gaze model driven by the cognitive operations; the model processes the virtual human's reasoning, dialog management, and goals to generate behaviors that reflect the agent's inner thoughts. It has been implemented in our virtual human system and operates in real-time. The gaze model introduced in this paper was originally designed and developed by Jeff Rickel but has since been extended by the authors.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Gaze plays a large number of cognitive, communicative and affective roles in face-to-face human interaction. To build a believable virtual human, it is imperative to construct a gaze model that generates realistic gaze behaviors. However, it is not enough to merely imitate a person's eye movements. The gaze behaviors should reflect the internal states of the virtual human and users should be able to derive them by observing the behaviors. In this paper, we present a gaze model driven by the cognitive operations; the model processes the virtual human's reasoning, dialog management, and goals to generate behaviors that reflect the agent's inner thoughts. It has been implemented in our virtual human system and operates in real-time. The gaze model introduced in this paper was originally designed and developed by Jeff Rickel but has since been extended by the authors.
13.
Martinovski, Bilyana; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.
Rejection of empathy in negotiation Journal Article
In: Group Decision and Negotiation, vol. 16, pp. 61–76, 2007, ISSN: 0926-2644.
@article{martinovski_rejection_2007,
title = {Rejection of empathy in negotiation},
author = {Bilyana Martinovski and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Rejection%20of%20empathy%20in%20negotiation.pdf},
issn = {0926-2644},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Group Decision and Negotiation},
volume = {16},
pages = {61–76},
abstract = {Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.
14.
Core, Mark; Traum, David; Lane, H. Chad; Swartout, William; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan; Lent, Michael
Teaching Negotiation Skills through Practice and Reflection with Virtual Humans Journal Article
In: Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation, vol. 82, no. 11, pp. 685–701, 2006.
@article{core_teaching_2006,
title = {Teaching Negotiation Skills through Practice and Reflection with Virtual Humans},
author = {Mark Core and David Traum and H. Chad Lane and William Swartout and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch and Michael Lent},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Teaching%20Negotiation%20Skills.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-11-01},
journal = {Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation},
volume = {82},
number = {11},
pages = {685–701},
abstract = {Although the representation of physical environments and behaviors will continue to play an important role in simulation-based training, an emerging challenge is the representation of virtual humans with rich mental models (e.g., including emotions, trust) that interact through conversational as well as physical behaviors. The motivation for such simulations is training soft skills such as leadership, cultural awareness, and negotiation, where the majority of actions are conversational, and the problem solving involves consideration of the emotions, attitudes, and desires of others.The educational power of such simulations can be enhanced by the integration of an intelligent tutoring system to support learners� understanding of the effect of their actions on virtual humans and how they might improve their performance. In this paper, we discuss our efforts to build such virtual humans, along with an accompanying intelligent tutor, for the domain of negotiation and cultural awareness.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Although the representation of physical environments and behaviors will continue to play an important role in simulation-based training, an emerging challenge is the representation of virtual humans with rich mental models (e.g., including emotions, trust) that interact through conversational as well as physical behaviors. The motivation for such simulations is training soft skills such as leadership, cultural awareness, and negotiation, where the majority of actions are conversational, and the problem solving involves consideration of the emotions, attitudes, and desires of others.The educational power of such simulations can be enhanced by the integration of an intelligent tutoring system to support learners� understanding of the effect of their actions on virtual humans and how they might improve their performance. In this paper, we discuss our efforts to build such virtual humans, along with an accompanying intelligent tutor, for the domain of negotiation and cultural awareness.
15.
Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Hill, Randall W.; Hovy, Eduard; Lindheim, Richard; Marsella, Stacy C.; Rickel, Jeff; Traum, David
Simulation Meets Hollywood: Integrating Graphics, Sound, Story and Character for Immersive Simulation Book Section
In: Multimodal Intelligent Information Presentation, vol. 27, pp. 305–321, Springer, Netherlands, 2006.
@incollection{swartout_simulation_2006,
title = {Simulation Meets Hollywood: Integrating Graphics, Sound, Story and Character for Immersive Simulation},
author = {William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Randall W. Hill and Eduard Hovy and Richard Lindheim and Stacy C. Marsella and Jeff Rickel and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/SIMULATION%20MEETS%20HOLLYWOOD-%20Integrating%20Graphics,%20Sound,%20Story%20and%20Character%20for%20Immersive%20Simulation.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-01-01},
booktitle = {Multimodal Intelligent Information Presentation},
volume = {27},
pages = {305–321},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Netherlands},
abstract = {The Institute for Creative Technologies was created at the University of Southern California with the goal of bringing together researchers in simulation technology to collaborate with people from the entertainment industry. The idea was that much more compelling simulations could be developed if researchers who understood state-of-the-art simulation technology worked together with writers and directors who knew how to create compelling stories and characters. This paper presents our first major effort to realize that vision, the Mission Rehearsal Exercise Project, which confronts a soldier trainee with the kinds of dilemmas he might reasonably encounter in a peacekeeping operation. The trainee is immersed in a synthetic world and interacts with virtual humans: artificially intelligent and graphically embodied conversational agents that understand and generate natural language, reason about world events and respond appropriately to the trainee's actions or commands. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have also joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. In this paper we describe the Mission Rehearsal Exercise system and the insights gained through this large-scale integration.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
The Institute for Creative Technologies was created at the University of Southern California with the goal of bringing together researchers in simulation technology to collaborate with people from the entertainment industry. The idea was that much more compelling simulations could be developed if researchers who understood state-of-the-art simulation technology worked together with writers and directors who knew how to create compelling stories and characters. This paper presents our first major effort to realize that vision, the Mission Rehearsal Exercise Project, which confronts a soldier trainee with the kinds of dilemmas he might reasonably encounter in a peacekeeping operation. The trainee is immersed in a synthetic world and interacts with virtual humans: artificially intelligent and graphically embodied conversational agents that understand and generate natural language, reason about world events and respond appropriately to the trainee's actions or commands. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have also joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. In this paper we describe the Mission Rehearsal Exercise system and the insights gained through this large-scale integration.
16.
Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Hill, Randall W.; Hovy, Eduard; Marsella, Stacy C.; Rickel, Jeff; Traum, David
Toward Virtual Humans Journal Article
In: AI Magazine, 2006.
@article{swartout_toward_2006,
title = {Toward Virtual Humans},
author = {William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Randall W. Hill and Eduard Hovy and Stacy C. Marsella and Jeff Rickel and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Toward%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-01-01},
journal = {AI Magazine},
abstract = {This paper describes the virtual humans developed as part of the Mission Rehearsal Exercise project, a virtual reality-based training system. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. We describe the key capabilities of the virtual humans, including task representation and reasoning, natural language dialogue, and emotion reasoning, and show how these capabilities are integrated to provide more human-level intelligence than would otherwise be possible.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper describes the virtual humans developed as part of the Mission Rehearsal Exercise project, a virtual reality-based training system. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. We describe the key capabilities of the virtual humans, including task representation and reasoning, natural language dialogue, and emotion reasoning, and show how these capabilities are integrated to provide more human-level intelligence than would otherwise be possible.
17.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan
Fight, Flight, or Negotiate: Believable Strategies for Conversing under Crisis Proceedings Article
In: 5th International Working Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, Kos, Greece, 2005.
@inproceedings{traum_fight_2005,
title = {Fight, Flight, or Negotiate: Believable Strategies for Conversing under Crisis},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Fight,%20Flight,%20or%20Negotiate-%20Believable%20Strategies%20for%20Conversing%20under%20Crisis.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-09-01},
booktitle = {5th International Working Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents},
address = {Kos, Greece},
abstract = {This paper des ribes a model of onversation strategies implemented in virtual humans designed to help people learn negotiation skills. We motivate and dis uss these strategies and their use to allow a virtual human to engage in omplex adversarial negotiation with a human trainee. Choi e of strategy depends on both the personality of the agent and assessment of the likelihood that the negotiation an be bene ial. Exe ution of strategies an be performed by hoosing spe i dialogue behaviors su h as whether and how to respond to a proposal. Current assessment of the value of the topi , the utility of the strategy, and aÆliation toward the other onversants an be used to dynami ally hange strategies throughout the ourse of a onversation. Examples will be given from the SASO-ST proje t, in whi h a trainee learns to negotiate by intera ting with virtual humans who employ these strategies.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper des ribes a model of onversation strategies implemented in virtual humans designed to help people learn negotiation skills. We motivate and dis uss these strategies and their use to allow a virtual human to engage in omplex adversarial negotiation with a human trainee. Choi e of strategy depends on both the personality of the agent and assessment of the likelihood that the negotiation an be bene ial. Exe ution of strategies an be performed by hoosing spe i dialogue behaviors su h as whether and how to respond to a proposal. Current assessment of the value of the topi , the utility of the strategy, and aÆliation toward the other onversants an be used to dynami ally hange strategies throughout the ourse of a onversation. Examples will be given from the SASO-ST proje t, in whi h a trainee learns to negotiate by intera ting with virtual humans who employ these strategies.
18.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.; Kenny, Patrick G.; Hovy, Eduard; Narayanan, Shrikanth; Fast, Edward; Martinovski, Bilyana; Baghat, Rahul; Robinson, Susan; Marshall, Andrew; Wang, Dagen; Gandhe, Sudeep; Leuski, Anton
Dealing with Doctors: A Virtual Human for Non-team Interaction Proceedings Article
In: 6th SIGdial Conference on Discourse and Dialogue, Lisbon, Portugal, 2005.
@inproceedings{traum_dealing_2005,
title = {Dealing with Doctors: A Virtual Human for Non-team Interaction},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella and Patrick G. Kenny and Eduard Hovy and Shrikanth Narayanan and Edward Fast and Bilyana Martinovski and Rahul Baghat and Susan Robinson and Andrew Marshall and Dagen Wang and Sudeep Gandhe and Anton Leuski},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Dealing%20with%20Doctors.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-09-01},
booktitle = {6th SIGdial Conference on Discourse and Dialogue},
address = {Lisbon, Portugal},
abstract = {We present a virtual human do tor who an engage in multi-modal negotiation dialogue with people from other organizations. The do tor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team intera tions},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present a virtual human do tor who an engage in multi-modal negotiation dialogue with people from other organizations. The do tor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team intera tions
19.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.
Virtual Humans for non-team interaction training Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) Workshop on Creating Bonds with Humanoids, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2005.
@inproceedings{traum_virtual_2005,
title = {Virtual Humans for non-team interaction training},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Humans%20for%20non-team%20interaction%20training.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-07-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) Workshop on Creating Bonds with Humanoids},
address = {Utrecht, Netherlands},
abstract = {We describe a model of virtual humans to be used in training for non-team interactions, such as negotiating with people from other organizations. The virtual humans build on existing task, dialogue, and emotion models, with an added model of trust, which are used to understand and produce interactional moves. The model has been implemented within an agent in the SASO-ST system, and some example dialogues are given, illustrating the necessity for building social bonds.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We describe a model of virtual humans to be used in training for non-team interactions, such as negotiating with people from other organizations. The virtual humans build on existing task, dialogue, and emotion models, with an added model of trust, which are used to understand and produce interactional moves. The model has been implemented within an agent in the SASO-ST system, and some example dialogues are given, illustrating the necessity for building social bonds.
20.
Martinovski, Bilyana; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.
Rejection of empathy and its linguistic manifestations Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of Conference on Formal and Informal Negotiation (FINEXIN), Ottowa, Canada, 2005.
@inproceedings{martinovski_rejection_2005,
title = {Rejection of empathy and its linguistic manifestations},
author = {Bilyana Martinovski and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Rejection%20of%20empathy%20and%20its%20linguistic%20manifestations.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Conference on Formal and Informal Negotiation (FINEXIN)},
address = {Ottowa, Canada},
abstract = {Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.
Filter
2016
Georgila, Kallirroi; Pynadath, David V.
Towards a Computational Model of Human Opinion Dynamics in Response to Real-World Events Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of The 29th International FLAIRS Conference, pp. 44–49, AAAI Press, Key Largo, FL, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{georgila_towards_2016,
title = {Towards a Computational Model of Human Opinion Dynamics in Response to Real-World Events},
author = {Kallirroi Georgila and David V. Pynadath},
url = {http://www.aaai.org/ocs/index.php/FLAIRS/FLAIRS16/paper/view/12960/12539},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-03-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of The 29th International FLAIRS Conference},
pages = {44–49},
publisher = {AAAI Press},
address = {Key Largo, FL},
abstract = {Accurate multiagent social simulation requires a computational model of how people incorporate their observations of real-world events into their beliefs about the state of their world. Current methods for creating such agent-based models typically rely on manual input that can be both burdensome and subjective. In this investigation, we instead pursue automated methods that can translate available data into the desired computational models. For this purpose, we use a corpus of real-world events in combination with longitudinal public opinion polls on a variety of opinion issues. We perform two experiments using automated methods taken from the literature. In our first experiment, we train maximum entropy classifiers to model changes in opinion scores as a function of real-world events. We measure and analyze the accuracy of our learned classifiers by comparing the opinion scores they generate against the opinion scores occurring in a held-out subset of our corpus. In our second experiment, we learn Bayesian networks to capture the same function.We then compare the dependency structures induced by the two methods to identify the event features that have the most significant effect on changes in public opinion.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Accurate multiagent social simulation requires a computational model of how people incorporate their observations of real-world events into their beliefs about the state of their world. Current methods for creating such agent-based models typically rely on manual input that can be both burdensome and subjective. In this investigation, we instead pursue automated methods that can translate available data into the desired computational models. For this purpose, we use a corpus of real-world events in combination with longitudinal public opinion polls on a variety of opinion issues. We perform two experiments using automated methods taken from the literature. In our first experiment, we train maximum entropy classifiers to model changes in opinion scores as a function of real-world events. We measure and analyze the accuracy of our learned classifiers by comparing the opinion scores they generate against the opinion scores occurring in a held-out subset of our corpus. In our second experiment, we learn Bayesian networks to capture the same function.We then compare the dependency structures induced by the two methods to identify the event features that have the most significant effect on changes in public opinion.
2015
Stratou, Giota; Morency, Louis-Philippe; DeVault, David; Hartholt, Arno; Fast, Edward; Lhommet, Margaux; Lucas, Gale; Morbini, Fabrizio; Georgila, Kallirroi; Scherer, Stefan; Gratch, Jonathan; Stacy, Marcella; Traum, David; Rizzo, Albert
A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews Proceedings Article
In: Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on, pp. 787–789, IEEE, Xi'an, China, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{stratou_demonstration_2015,
title = {A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews},
author = {Giota Stratou and Louis-Philippe Morency and David DeVault and Arno Hartholt and Edward Fast and Margaux Lhommet and Gale Lucas and Fabrizio Morbini and Kallirroi Georgila and Stefan Scherer and Jonathan Gratch and Marcella Stacy and David Traum and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=7344661},
doi = {10.1109/ACII.2015.7344661},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-09-01},
booktitle = {Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on},
pages = {787–789},
publisher = {IEEE},
address = {Xi'an, China},
abstract = {We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.},
keywords = {MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.
Kang, Sin-Hwa; Feng, Andrew; Leuski, Anton; Casas, Dan; Shapiro, Ari
Smart Mobile Virtual Humans: “Chat with Me!” Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), pp. 475–478, Springer, Delft, Netherlands, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{kang_smart_2015,
title = {Smart Mobile Virtual Humans: “Chat with Me!”},
author = {Sin-Hwa Kang and Andrew Feng and Anton Leuski and Dan Casas and Ari Shapiro},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Smart%20Mobile%20Virtual%20Humans%20-%20Chat%20with%20Me.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-21996-7},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-08-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
pages = {475–478},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Delft, Netherlands},
abstract = {In this study, we are interested in exploring whether people would talk with 3D animated virtual humans using a smartphone for a longer amount of time as a sign of feeling rapport [5], compared to non-animated or audio-only characters in everyday life. Based on previous studies [2, 7, 10], users prefer animated characters in emotionally engaged interactions when the characters were displayed on mobile devices, yet in a lab setting. We aimed to reach a broad range of users outside of the lab in natural settings to investigate the potential of our virtual human on smartphones to facilitate casual, yet emotionally engaging conversation. We also found that the literature has not reached a consensus regarding the ideal gaze patterns for a virtual human, one thing researchers agree on is that inappropriate gaze could negatively impact conversations at times, even worse than receiving no visual feedback at all [1, 4]. Everyday life may bring the experience of awkwardness or uncomfortable sentiments in reaction to continuous mutual gaze. On the other hand, gaze aversion could also make a speaker think their partner is not listening. Our work further aims to address this question of what constitutes appropriate eye gaze in emotionally engaged interactions. We developed a 3D animated and chat-based virtual human which presented emotionally expressive nonverbal behaviors such as facial expressions, head gestures, gaze, and other upper body movements (see Figure 1). The virtual human displayed appropriate gaze that was either consisted of constant mutual gaze or gaze aversion based on a statistical model of saccadic eye movement [8] while listening. Both gaze patterns were accompanied by other forms of appropriate nonverbal feedback. To explore the question of optimal communicative medium, we distributed our virtual human application to users via an app store for Android-powered phones (i.e. Google Play Store) in order to target users who owned a smartphone and could use our application in various natural settings.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this study, we are interested in exploring whether people would talk with 3D animated virtual humans using a smartphone for a longer amount of time as a sign of feeling rapport [5], compared to non-animated or audio-only characters in everyday life. Based on previous studies [2, 7, 10], users prefer animated characters in emotionally engaged interactions when the characters were displayed on mobile devices, yet in a lab setting. We aimed to reach a broad range of users outside of the lab in natural settings to investigate the potential of our virtual human on smartphones to facilitate casual, yet emotionally engaging conversation. We also found that the literature has not reached a consensus regarding the ideal gaze patterns for a virtual human, one thing researchers agree on is that inappropriate gaze could negatively impact conversations at times, even worse than receiving no visual feedback at all [1, 4]. Everyday life may bring the experience of awkwardness or uncomfortable sentiments in reaction to continuous mutual gaze. On the other hand, gaze aversion could also make a speaker think their partner is not listening. Our work further aims to address this question of what constitutes appropriate eye gaze in emotionally engaged interactions. We developed a 3D animated and chat-based virtual human which presented emotionally expressive nonverbal behaviors such as facial expressions, head gestures, gaze, and other upper body movements (see Figure 1). The virtual human displayed appropriate gaze that was either consisted of constant mutual gaze or gaze aversion based on a statistical model of saccadic eye movement [8] while listening. Both gaze patterns were accompanied by other forms of appropriate nonverbal feedback. To explore the question of optimal communicative medium, we distributed our virtual human application to users via an app store for Android-powered phones (i.e. Google Play Store) in order to target users who owned a smartphone and could use our application in various natural settings.
2014
Rizzo, Albert; Scherer, Stefan; DeVault, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Artstein, Ron; Hartholt, Arno; Lucas, Gale; Marsella, Stacy; Morbini, Fabrizio; Nazarian, Angela; Stratou, Giota; Traum, David; Wood, Rachel; Boberg, Jill; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014, International Journal of Disability and Human Development, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR, Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{rizzo_detection_2014,
title = {Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Stefan Scherer and David DeVault and Jonathan Gratch and Ron Artstein and Arno Hartholt and Gale Lucas and Stacy Marsella and Fabrizio Morbini and Angela Nazarian and Giota Stratou and David Traum and Rachel Wood and Jill Boberg and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Detection%20and%20Computational%20Analysis%20of%20Psychological%20Signals%20Using%20a%20Virtual%20Human%20Interviewing%20Agent.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014},
publisher = {International Journal of Disability and Human Development},
address = {Gothenburg, Sweden},
abstract = {It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.},
keywords = {MedVR, Social Simulation, UARC, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.
2012
Traum, David; DeVault, David; Lee, Jina; Wang, Zhiyang; Marsella, Stacy C.
Incremental Dialogue Understanding and Feedback for Multi-party, Multimodal Conversation Proceedings Article
In: The 12th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), Santa Cruz, CA, 2012.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_incremental_2012,
title = {Incremental Dialogue Understanding and Feedback for Multi-party, Multimodal Conversation},
author = {David Traum and David DeVault and Jina Lee and Zhiyang Wang and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Incremental%20Dialogue%20Understanding%20and%20Feedback%20for%20Multi-party%20Multimodal%20Conversation.pdf},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-09-01},
booktitle = {The 12th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
address = {Santa Cruz, CA},
abstract = {In order to provide comprehensive listening behavior, virtual humans engaged in dialogue need to incrementally listen, interpret, understand, and react to what someone is saying, in real time, as they are saying it. In this paper, we describe an implemented system for engaging in multiparty dialogue, including incremental understanding and a range of feedback. We present an FML message extension for feedback in multipary dialogue that can be connected to a feedback realizer. We also describe how the important aspects of that message are calculated by different modules involved in partial input processing as a speaker is talking in a multiparty dialogue.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In order to provide comprehensive listening behavior, virtual humans engaged in dialogue need to incrementally listen, interpret, understand, and react to what someone is saying, in real time, as they are saying it. In this paper, we describe an implemented system for engaging in multiparty dialogue, including incremental understanding and a range of feedback. We present an FML message extension for feedback in multipary dialogue that can be connected to a feedback realizer. We also describe how the important aspects of that message are calculated by different modules involved in partial input processing as a speaker is talking in a multiparty dialogue.
2009
Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Leuski, Anton; Morency, Louis-Philippe; Marsella, Stacy C.; Liewer, Matt; Doraiswamy, Prathibha; Weiss, Lori; LeMasters, Kim; Fast, Edward; Sadek, Ramy; Marshall, Andrew; Lee, Jina; Thiebaux, Marcus; Tsiartas, Andreas
At the Virtual Frontier: Introducing Gunslinger, a Multi- Character, Mixed-Reality, Story-Driven Experience Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{hartholt_at_2009,
title = {At the Virtual Frontier: Introducing Gunslinger, a Multi- Character, Mixed-Reality, Story-Driven Experience},
author = {Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and Anton Leuski and Louis-Philippe Morency and Stacy C. Marsella and Matt Liewer and Prathibha Doraiswamy and Lori Weiss and Kim LeMasters and Edward Fast and Ramy Sadek and Andrew Marshall and Jina Lee and Marcus Thiebaux and Andreas Tsiartas},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/At%20the%20Virtual%20Frontier-%20Introducing%20Gunslinger%20a%20Multi-%20Character%20Mixed-Reality%20Story-Driven%20Experience.pdf},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
address = {Amsterdam, The Netherlands},
abstract = {We describe an application of intelligent virtual agents to the domain of mixed-reality interactive entertainment. Gunslinger allows users to interact with life-sized virtual humans within the context of a wild west story world. The application incorporates a novel integration of capabilities including gesture and spoken language recognition, story and dialogue reasoning, and multi-character, multi-modal behavior generation and synthesis. The article describes our design process, technological innovations, and initial feedback from user interactions with the system.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We describe an application of intelligent virtual agents to the domain of mixed-reality interactive entertainment. Gunslinger allows users to interact with life-sized virtual humans within the context of a wild west story world. The application incorporates a novel integration of capabilities including gesture and spoken language recognition, story and dialogue reasoning, and multi-character, multi-modal behavior generation and synthesis. The article describes our design process, technological innovations, and initial feedback from user interactions with the system.
2008
Traum, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Hartholt, Arno; Marsella, Stacy C.; Lee, Jina
Multi-party, Multi-issue, Multi-strategy Negotiation for Multi-modal Virtual Agents Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, pp. 117–130, Tokyo, Japan, 2008.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_multi-party_2008,
title = {Multi-party, Multi-issue, Multi-strategy Negotiation for Multi-modal Virtual Agents},
author = {David Traum and Jonathan Gratch and Arno Hartholt and Stacy C. Marsella and Jina Lee},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Multi-party,%20Multi-issue,%20Multi-strategy%20Negotiation.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-09-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents},
pages = {117–130},
address = {Tokyo, Japan},
abstract = {We present a model of negotiation for virtual agents that extends previous work to be more human-like and applicable to a broader range of situations, including more than two negotiators with different goals, and negotiating over multiple options. The agents can dynamically change their negotiating strategies based on the current values of several parameters and factors that can be updated in the course of the negotiation.We have implemented this model and done preliminary evaluation within a prototype training system and a three-party negotiation with two virtual humans and one human.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present a model of negotiation for virtual agents that extends previous work to be more human-like and applicable to a broader range of situations, including more than two negotiators with different goals, and negotiating over multiple options. The agents can dynamically change their negotiating strategies based on the current values of several parameters and factors that can be updated in the course of the negotiation.We have implemented this model and done preliminary evaluation within a prototype training system and a three-party negotiation with two virtual humans and one human.
Lee, Jina; DeVault, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Traum, David
Thoughts on FML: Behavior Generation in the Virtual Human Communication Architecture Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) First Functional Markup Language Workshop, Estoril, Portugal, 2008.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{lee_thoughts_2008,
title = {Thoughts on FML: Behavior Generation in the Virtual Human Communication Architecture},
author = {Jina Lee and David DeVault and Stacy C. Marsella and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Thoughts%20on%20FML.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-05-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) First Functional Markup Language Workshop},
address = {Estoril, Portugal},
abstract = {We discuss our current architecture for the generation of natural language and non-verbal behavior in ICT virtual humans. We draw on our experience developing this archi- tecture to present our current perspective on several issues related to the standardization of FML and to the SAIBA framework more generally. In particular, we discuss our current use, and non-use, of FML-inspired representations in generating natural language, eye gaze, and emotional dis- plays. We also comment on some of the shortcomings of our design as currently implemented.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We discuss our current architecture for the generation of natural language and non-verbal behavior in ICT virtual humans. We draw on our experience developing this archi- tecture to present our current perspective on several issues related to the standardization of FML and to the SAIBA framework more generally. In particular, we discuss our current use, and non-use, of FML-inspired representations in generating natural language, eye gaze, and emotional dis- plays. We also comment on some of the shortcomings of our design as currently implemented.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.
A Virtual Human Dialogue Model for Non-team Interaction Book Section
In: Recent Trends in Discourse and Dialogue, vol. 39, pp. 45–67, Springer, Dordecht, The Netherlands, 2008.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@incollection{traum_virtual_2008,
title = {A Virtual Human Dialogue Model for Non-team Interaction},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/A%20Virtual%20Human%20Dialogue%20Model%20for%20Non-team%20Interaction.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
booktitle = {Recent Trends in Discourse and Dialogue},
volume = {39},
pages = {45–67},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Dordecht, The Netherlands},
series = {Text, Speech and Language Technology},
abstract = {We describe the dialogue model for the virtual humans developed at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. The dialogue model contains a rich set of information state and dialogue moves to allow a wide range of behaviour in multimodal, multiparty interaction. We extend this model to enable non-team negotiation, using ideas from social science literature on negotiation and implemented strategies and dialogue moves for this area. We present a virtual human doctor who uses this model to engage in multimodal negotiation dialogue with people from other organisations. The doctor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team interactions.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
We describe the dialogue model for the virtual humans developed at the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. The dialogue model contains a rich set of information state and dialogue moves to allow a wide range of behaviour in multimodal, multiparty interaction. We extend this model to enable non-team negotiation, using ideas from social science literature on negotiation and implemented strategies and dialogue moves for this area. We present a virtual human doctor who uses this model to engage in multimodal negotiation dialogue with people from other organisations. The doctor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team interactions.
2007
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Swartout, William; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Piepol, Diane
Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments Proceedings Article
In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Orlando, FL, 2007.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{kenny_building_2007,
title = {Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and William Swartout and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and Diane Piepol},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Building%20Interactive%20Virtual%20Humans%20for%20Training%20Environments.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-11-01},
booktitle = {Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.},
keywords = {MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Swartout, William
The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans Proceedings Article
In: AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, pp. 1970–1971, 2007.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{kenny_more_2007,
title = {The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and William Swartout},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/The%20More%20the%20Merrier-%20Multi-Party%20Negotiation%20with%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-07-01},
booktitle = {AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence},
volume = {2},
pages = {1970–1971},
abstract = {The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.},
keywords = {MedVR, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.
Lee, Jina; Marsella, Stacy C.; Traum, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Lance, Brent
The Rickel Gaze Model: A Window on the Mind of a Virtual Human Proceedings Article
In: Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), pp. 296–303, Paris, France, 2007.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{lee_rickel_2007,
title = {The Rickel Gaze Model: A Window on the Mind of a Virtual Human},
author = {Jina Lee and Stacy C. Marsella and David Traum and Jonathan Gratch and Brent Lance},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/The%20Rickel%20Gaze%20Model-%20A%20Window%20on%20the%20Mind%20of%20a%20Virtual%20Human.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)},
volume = {4722},
pages = {296–303},
address = {Paris, France},
abstract = {Gaze plays a large number of cognitive, communicative and affective roles in face-to-face human interaction. To build a believable virtual human, it is imperative to construct a gaze model that generates realistic gaze behaviors. However, it is not enough to merely imitate a person's eye movements. The gaze behaviors should reflect the internal states of the virtual human and users should be able to derive them by observing the behaviors. In this paper, we present a gaze model driven by the cognitive operations; the model processes the virtual human's reasoning, dialog management, and goals to generate behaviors that reflect the agent's inner thoughts. It has been implemented in our virtual human system and operates in real-time. The gaze model introduced in this paper was originally designed and developed by Jeff Rickel but has since been extended by the authors.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Gaze plays a large number of cognitive, communicative and affective roles in face-to-face human interaction. To build a believable virtual human, it is imperative to construct a gaze model that generates realistic gaze behaviors. However, it is not enough to merely imitate a person's eye movements. The gaze behaviors should reflect the internal states of the virtual human and users should be able to derive them by observing the behaviors. In this paper, we present a gaze model driven by the cognitive operations; the model processes the virtual human's reasoning, dialog management, and goals to generate behaviors that reflect the agent's inner thoughts. It has been implemented in our virtual human system and operates in real-time. The gaze model introduced in this paper was originally designed and developed by Jeff Rickel but has since been extended by the authors.
Martinovski, Bilyana; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.
Rejection of empathy in negotiation Journal Article
In: Group Decision and Negotiation, vol. 16, pp. 61–76, 2007, ISSN: 0926-2644.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@article{martinovski_rejection_2007,
title = {Rejection of empathy in negotiation},
author = {Bilyana Martinovski and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Rejection%20of%20empathy%20in%20negotiation.pdf},
issn = {0926-2644},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Group Decision and Negotiation},
volume = {16},
pages = {61–76},
abstract = {Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.
2006
Core, Mark; Traum, David; Lane, H. Chad; Swartout, William; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan; Lent, Michael
Teaching Negotiation Skills through Practice and Reflection with Virtual Humans Journal Article
In: Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation, vol. 82, no. 11, pp. 685–701, 2006.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Learning Sciences, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@article{core_teaching_2006,
title = {Teaching Negotiation Skills through Practice and Reflection with Virtual Humans},
author = {Mark Core and David Traum and H. Chad Lane and William Swartout and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch and Michael Lent},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Teaching%20Negotiation%20Skills.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-11-01},
journal = {Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation},
volume = {82},
number = {11},
pages = {685–701},
abstract = {Although the representation of physical environments and behaviors will continue to play an important role in simulation-based training, an emerging challenge is the representation of virtual humans with rich mental models (e.g., including emotions, trust) that interact through conversational as well as physical behaviors. The motivation for such simulations is training soft skills such as leadership, cultural awareness, and negotiation, where the majority of actions are conversational, and the problem solving involves consideration of the emotions, attitudes, and desires of others.The educational power of such simulations can be enhanced by the integration of an intelligent tutoring system to support learners� understanding of the effect of their actions on virtual humans and how they might improve their performance. In this paper, we discuss our efforts to build such virtual humans, along with an accompanying intelligent tutor, for the domain of negotiation and cultural awareness.},
keywords = {Learning Sciences, Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Although the representation of physical environments and behaviors will continue to play an important role in simulation-based training, an emerging challenge is the representation of virtual humans with rich mental models (e.g., including emotions, trust) that interact through conversational as well as physical behaviors. The motivation for such simulations is training soft skills such as leadership, cultural awareness, and negotiation, where the majority of actions are conversational, and the problem solving involves consideration of the emotions, attitudes, and desires of others.The educational power of such simulations can be enhanced by the integration of an intelligent tutoring system to support learners� understanding of the effect of their actions on virtual humans and how they might improve their performance. In this paper, we discuss our efforts to build such virtual humans, along with an accompanying intelligent tutor, for the domain of negotiation and cultural awareness.
Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Hill, Randall W.; Hovy, Eduard; Lindheim, Richard; Marsella, Stacy C.; Rickel, Jeff; Traum, David
Simulation Meets Hollywood: Integrating Graphics, Sound, Story and Character for Immersive Simulation Book Section
In: Multimodal Intelligent Information Presentation, vol. 27, pp. 305–321, Springer, Netherlands, 2006.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@incollection{swartout_simulation_2006,
title = {Simulation Meets Hollywood: Integrating Graphics, Sound, Story and Character for Immersive Simulation},
author = {William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Randall W. Hill and Eduard Hovy and Richard Lindheim and Stacy C. Marsella and Jeff Rickel and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/SIMULATION%20MEETS%20HOLLYWOOD-%20Integrating%20Graphics,%20Sound,%20Story%20and%20Character%20for%20Immersive%20Simulation.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-01-01},
booktitle = {Multimodal Intelligent Information Presentation},
volume = {27},
pages = {305–321},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Netherlands},
abstract = {The Institute for Creative Technologies was created at the University of Southern California with the goal of bringing together researchers in simulation technology to collaborate with people from the entertainment industry. The idea was that much more compelling simulations could be developed if researchers who understood state-of-the-art simulation technology worked together with writers and directors who knew how to create compelling stories and characters. This paper presents our first major effort to realize that vision, the Mission Rehearsal Exercise Project, which confronts a soldier trainee with the kinds of dilemmas he might reasonably encounter in a peacekeeping operation. The trainee is immersed in a synthetic world and interacts with virtual humans: artificially intelligent and graphically embodied conversational agents that understand and generate natural language, reason about world events and respond appropriately to the trainee's actions or commands. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have also joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. In this paper we describe the Mission Rehearsal Exercise system and the insights gained through this large-scale integration.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
The Institute for Creative Technologies was created at the University of Southern California with the goal of bringing together researchers in simulation technology to collaborate with people from the entertainment industry. The idea was that much more compelling simulations could be developed if researchers who understood state-of-the-art simulation technology worked together with writers and directors who knew how to create compelling stories and characters. This paper presents our first major effort to realize that vision, the Mission Rehearsal Exercise Project, which confronts a soldier trainee with the kinds of dilemmas he might reasonably encounter in a peacekeeping operation. The trainee is immersed in a synthetic world and interacts with virtual humans: artificially intelligent and graphically embodied conversational agents that understand and generate natural language, reason about world events and respond appropriately to the trainee's actions or commands. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have also joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. In this paper we describe the Mission Rehearsal Exercise system and the insights gained through this large-scale integration.
Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Hill, Randall W.; Hovy, Eduard; Marsella, Stacy C.; Rickel, Jeff; Traum, David
Toward Virtual Humans Journal Article
In: AI Magazine, 2006.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@article{swartout_toward_2006,
title = {Toward Virtual Humans},
author = {William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Randall W. Hill and Eduard Hovy and Stacy C. Marsella and Jeff Rickel and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Toward%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-01-01},
journal = {AI Magazine},
abstract = {This paper describes the virtual humans developed as part of the Mission Rehearsal Exercise project, a virtual reality-based training system. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. We describe the key capabilities of the virtual humans, including task representation and reasoning, natural language dialogue, and emotion reasoning, and show how these capabilities are integrated to provide more human-level intelligence than would otherwise be possible.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper describes the virtual humans developed as part of the Mission Rehearsal Exercise project, a virtual reality-based training system. This project is an ambitious exercise in integration, both in the sense of integrating technology with entertainment industry content, but also in that we have joined a number of component technologies that have not been integrated before. This integration has not only raised new research issues, but it has also suggested some new approaches to difficult problems. We describe the key capabilities of the virtual humans, including task representation and reasoning, natural language dialogue, and emotion reasoning, and show how these capabilities are integrated to provide more human-level intelligence than would otherwise be possible.
2005
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan
Fight, Flight, or Negotiate: Believable Strategies for Conversing under Crisis Proceedings Article
In: 5th International Working Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, Kos, Greece, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_fight_2005,
title = {Fight, Flight, or Negotiate: Believable Strategies for Conversing under Crisis},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Fight,%20Flight,%20or%20Negotiate-%20Believable%20Strategies%20for%20Conversing%20under%20Crisis.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-09-01},
booktitle = {5th International Working Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents},
address = {Kos, Greece},
abstract = {This paper des ribes a model of onversation strategies implemented in virtual humans designed to help people learn negotiation skills. We motivate and dis uss these strategies and their use to allow a virtual human to engage in omplex adversarial negotiation with a human trainee. Choi e of strategy depends on both the personality of the agent and assessment of the likelihood that the negotiation an be bene ial. Exe ution of strategies an be performed by hoosing spe i dialogue behaviors su h as whether and how to respond to a proposal. Current assessment of the value of the topi , the utility of the strategy, and aÆliation toward the other onversants an be used to dynami ally hange strategies throughout the ourse of a onversation. Examples will be given from the SASO-ST proje t, in whi h a trainee learns to negotiate by intera ting with virtual humans who employ these strategies.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper des ribes a model of onversation strategies implemented in virtual humans designed to help people learn negotiation skills. We motivate and dis uss these strategies and their use to allow a virtual human to engage in omplex adversarial negotiation with a human trainee. Choi e of strategy depends on both the personality of the agent and assessment of the likelihood that the negotiation an be bene ial. Exe ution of strategies an be performed by hoosing spe i dialogue behaviors su h as whether and how to respond to a proposal. Current assessment of the value of the topi , the utility of the strategy, and aÆliation toward the other onversants an be used to dynami ally hange strategies throughout the ourse of a onversation. Examples will be given from the SASO-ST proje t, in whi h a trainee learns to negotiate by intera ting with virtual humans who employ these strategies.
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.; Kenny, Patrick G.; Hovy, Eduard; Narayanan, Shrikanth; Fast, Edward; Martinovski, Bilyana; Baghat, Rahul; Robinson, Susan; Marshall, Andrew; Wang, Dagen; Gandhe, Sudeep; Leuski, Anton
Dealing with Doctors: A Virtual Human for Non-team Interaction Proceedings Article
In: 6th SIGdial Conference on Discourse and Dialogue, Lisbon, Portugal, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_dealing_2005,
title = {Dealing with Doctors: A Virtual Human for Non-team Interaction},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella and Patrick G. Kenny and Eduard Hovy and Shrikanth Narayanan and Edward Fast and Bilyana Martinovski and Rahul Baghat and Susan Robinson and Andrew Marshall and Dagen Wang and Sudeep Gandhe and Anton Leuski},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Dealing%20with%20Doctors.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-09-01},
booktitle = {6th SIGdial Conference on Discourse and Dialogue},
address = {Lisbon, Portugal},
abstract = {We present a virtual human do tor who an engage in multi-modal negotiation dialogue with people from other organizations. The do tor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team intera tions},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present a virtual human do tor who an engage in multi-modal negotiation dialogue with people from other organizations. The do tor is part of the SASO-ST system, used for training for non-team intera tions
Traum, David; Swartout, William; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.
Virtual Humans for non-team interaction training Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) Workshop on Creating Bonds with Humanoids, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_virtual_2005,
title = {Virtual Humans for non-team interaction training},
author = {David Traum and William Swartout and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Humans%20for%20non-team%20interaction%20training.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-07-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS) Workshop on Creating Bonds with Humanoids},
address = {Utrecht, Netherlands},
abstract = {We describe a model of virtual humans to be used in training for non-team interactions, such as negotiating with people from other organizations. The virtual humans build on existing task, dialogue, and emotion models, with an added model of trust, which are used to understand and produce interactional moves. The model has been implemented within an agent in the SASO-ST system, and some example dialogues are given, illustrating the necessity for building social bonds.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We describe a model of virtual humans to be used in training for non-team interactions, such as negotiating with people from other organizations. The virtual humans build on existing task, dialogue, and emotion models, with an added model of trust, which are used to understand and produce interactional moves. The model has been implemented within an agent in the SASO-ST system, and some example dialogues are given, illustrating the necessity for building social bonds.
Martinovski, Bilyana; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.
Rejection of empathy and its linguistic manifestations Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of Conference on Formal and Informal Negotiation (FINEXIN), Ottowa, Canada, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{martinovski_rejection_2005,
title = {Rejection of empathy and its linguistic manifestations},
author = {Bilyana Martinovski and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Rejection%20of%20empathy%20and%20its%20linguistic%20manifestations.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Conference on Formal and Informal Negotiation (FINEXIN)},
address = {Ottowa, Canada},
abstract = {Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation. Some of the rejections are due to failed recognition of the rejector's needs and desires whereas others have mainly strategic functions gaining momentum in the negotiation. In both cases, rejection of empathy is a phase in the negotiation not a breakdown.
2004
Muller, T. J.; Hartholt, Arno; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan; Traum, David
Do You Want To Talk About It? A First Step Towards Emotion Integrated Dialogue Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS), Kloster Irsee, Germany, 2004.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{muller_you_2004,
title = {Do You Want To Talk About It? A First Step Towards Emotion Integrated Dialogue},
author = {T. J. Muller and Arno Hartholt and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Do%20you%20want%20to%20talk%20about%20it.pdf},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-08-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS)},
address = {Kloster Irsee, Germany},
abstract = {In this paper, we descrribe an implemented system for emotion-referring dialogue. An agen can engage in emotion-referring dialogue if it first has a model of its own emotions, and secondly has a way of talking about them. We create this facility in MRE Project's virtual humans, building upon the existing emotion and dialogue facilities of these agents.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper, we descrribe an implemented system for emotion-referring dialogue. An agen can engage in emotion-referring dialogue if it first has a model of its own emotions, and secondly has a way of talking about them. We create this facility in MRE Project's virtual humans, building upon the existing emotion and dialogue facilities of these agents.
Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan
Emotion and Dialogue in the MRE Virtual Humans Proceedings Article
In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 117–127, Kloster Irsee, Germany, 2004.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_emotion_2004,
title = {Emotion and Dialogue in the MRE Virtual Humans},
author = {David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Emotion%20and%20Dialogue%20in%20the%20MRE%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
volume = {3068},
pages = {117–127},
address = {Kloster Irsee, Germany},
abstract = {We describe the emotion and dialogue aspects of the virtual agents used in the MRE project at USC. The models of emotion and dialogue started independently, though each makes crucial use of a central task model. In this paper we describe the task model, dialogue model, and emotion model, and the interactions between them.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We describe the emotion and dialogue aspects of the virtual agents used in the MRE project at USC. The models of emotion and dialogue started independently, though each makes crucial use of a central task model. In this paper we describe the task model, dialogue model, and emotion model, and the interactions between them.
2003
Hill, Randall W.; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.; Swartout, William; Traum, David
Virtual Humans in the Mission Rehearsal Exercise System Proceedings Article
In: Kunstliche Intelligenzi (KI) (special issue on Embodied Conversational Agents), 2003.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{hill_virtual_2003,
title = {Virtual Humans in the Mission Rehearsal Exercise System},
author = {Randall W. Hill and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella and William Swartout and David Traum},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Humans%20in%20the%20Mission%20Rehearsal%20Exercise%20System.pdf},
year = {2003},
date = {2003-06-01},
booktitle = {Kunstliche Intelligenzi (KI) (special issue on Embodied Conversational Agents)},
abstract = {How can simulation be made more compelling and effective as a tool for learning? This is the question that the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) set out to answer when it was formed at the University of Southern California in 1999, to serve as a nexus between the simulation and entertainment communities. The ultimate goal of the ICT is to create the Experience Learning System (ELS), which will advance the state of the art in virtual reality immersion through use of high-resolution graphics, immersive audio, virtual humans and story-based scenarios. Once fully realized, ELS will make it possible for participants to enter places in time and space where they can interact with believable characters capable of conversation and action, and where they can observe and participate in events that are accessible only through simulation.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
How can simulation be made more compelling and effective as a tool for learning? This is the question that the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) set out to answer when it was formed at the University of Southern California in 1999, to serve as a nexus between the simulation and entertainment communities. The ultimate goal of the ICT is to create the Experience Learning System (ELS), which will advance the state of the art in virtual reality immersion through use of high-resolution graphics, immersive audio, virtual humans and story-based scenarios. Once fully realized, ELS will make it possible for participants to enter places in time and space where they can interact with believable characters capable of conversation and action, and where they can observe and participate in events that are accessible only through simulation.
Traum, David; Rickel, Jeff; Gratch, Jonathan; Marsella, Stacy C.
Negotiation over Tasks in Hybrid Human-Agent Teams for Simulation-Based Training Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS), pp. 441–448, Melbourne, Australia, 2003.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@inproceedings{traum_negotiation_2003,
title = {Negotiation over Tasks in Hybrid Human-Agent Teams for Simulation-Based Training},
author = {David Traum and Jeff Rickel and Jonathan Gratch and Stacy C. Marsella},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Negotiation%20over%20Tasks%20in%20Hybrid%20Human-Agent%20Teams%20for%20Simulation-Based%20Training.pdf},
year = {2003},
date = {2003-01-01},
booktitle = {International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS)},
pages = {441–448},
address = {Melbourne, Australia},
abstract = {The effectiveness of simulation-based training for individual tasks – such as piloting skills – is well established, but its use for team training raises challenging technical issues. Ideally, human users could gain valuable leadership experience by interacting with synthetic teammates in realistic and potentially stressful scenarios. However, creating human-like teammates that can support flexible, natural interactions with humans and other synthetic agents requires integrating a wide variety of capabilities, including models of teamwork, models of human negotiation, and the ability to participate in face-to-face spoken conversations in virtual worlds. We have developed such virtual humans by integrating and extending prior work in these areas, and we have applied our virtual humans to an example peacekeeping training scenario to guide and evaluate our research. Our models allow agents to reason about authority and responsibility for individual actions in a team task and, as appropriate, to carry out actions, give and accept orders, monitor task execution, and negotiate options. Negotiation is guided by the agents' dynamic assessment of alternative actions given the current scenario conditions, with the aim of guiding the human user towards an ability to make similar assessments.},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The effectiveness of simulation-based training for individual tasks – such as piloting skills – is well established, but its use for team training raises challenging technical issues. Ideally, human users could gain valuable leadership experience by interacting with synthetic teammates in realistic and potentially stressful scenarios. However, creating human-like teammates that can support flexible, natural interactions with humans and other synthetic agents requires integrating a wide variety of capabilities, including models of teamwork, models of human negotiation, and the ability to participate in face-to-face spoken conversations in virtual worlds. We have developed such virtual humans by integrating and extending prior work in these areas, and we have applied our virtual humans to an example peacekeeping training scenario to guide and evaluate our research. Our models allow agents to reason about authority and responsibility for individual actions in a team task and, as appropriate, to carry out actions, give and accept orders, monitor task execution, and negotiate options. Negotiation is guided by the agents' dynamic assessment of alternative actions given the current scenario conditions, with the aim of guiding the human user towards an ability to make similar assessments.
2002
Rickel, Jeff; Marsella, Stacy C.; Gratch, Jonathan; Hill, Randall W.; Traum, David; Swartout, William
Toward a New Generation of Virtual Humans for Interactive Experiences Journal Article
In: IEEE Intelligent Systems, 2002.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Social Simulation, Virtual Humans
@article{rickel_toward_2002,
title = {Toward a New Generation of Virtual Humans for Interactive Experiences},
author = {Jeff Rickel and Stacy C. Marsella and Jonathan Gratch and Randall W. Hill and David Traum and William Swartout},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Toward%20a%20New%20Generation%20of%20Virtual%20Humans%20for%20Interactive%20Experiences.pdf},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Intelligent Systems},
keywords = {Social Simulation, Virtual Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}