How can conversational AI facilitate human interaction?

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How can we use value sensitive design to understand key values, tensions, benefits and harms surrounding the use of Amazon Alexa in the home?

Led a directed research group (DRG) at the University of Washington. A team of 6 researchers analyzed online reviews of Amazon Alexa to further understanding how the anthropomorphization of the voice interface impacts user interaction.

DRG:  https://www.hcde.washington.edu/research/archives#Alexa-sp17

 

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How can we improve Expedia's voice user interface to facilitate travel planning?  

In collaboration with UX Researchers at Expedia, I am working on a team of 5 students at the University of Washington to improve Expedia's Voice Skill. We developed and ran a usability study protocol and will present findings to the company.  

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How can we develop a conversational skill to improve sleep quality?

Design Goal: Create an interactive application for technology users  to fall asleep without the use of a digital screen and which offers a broader variety of sleep relaxation techniques.

To accomplish this goal, a team of 3 students developed and tested a prototype of a voice sleep coach named Wind Down. 

Prototype: https://app.sayspring.com/users/sign_up