Affectively Aligned Cognitive Assistance Using Bayesian Affect Control Theory

Abstract

Abstract. This paper describes a novel emotionally intelligent cognitive assistant to engage and help older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to complete activities of daily living (ADL) more independently. Our new system combines two research streams. First, the development of cognitive assistants with artificially intelligent controllers using partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs). Second, a model of the dynamics of emotion and identity called Affect Control Theory that arises from the sociological literature on culturally shared sentiments. We present background material on both of these research streams, and then demonstrate a prototype assistive technology that combines the two. We discuss the affective reasoning, the probabilistic and decision-theoretic reasoning, the computer-vision based activity monitoring, the embodied prompting, and we show results in proof-of-concept tests.

The development of assistive dementia technology that accounts for the values of those affected by its use

“…VSD is a form of social engineering that is focused on ensuring that technology can be an integrated part of a good life, by matching and enhancing, rather than disrupting, key values that guide our pursuits in daily life. Thus, the purpose of infusing values into design is not to shape behaviour, but to to align the behaviour of the technology with that of its users, as is illustrated by the work of Lin et al (2014), mentioned earlier.…”

“…This is a focus of research currently being pursued by Professor Hoey and his team at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Assistive concepts have been developed that build on estimating the social and emotional identity of a person, and tuning interventions and interactions towards that personality (Lin et al 2014). Previous systems, although functional, often would not work for specific individuals, which appears indicative of an emotional mis-alignment between the person and the system (Lin et al 2014).…”

“…As with other research into adaptive ATDs, issues of privacy, safety and wider social impact remain ongoing, ethical concerns which require further research Felzmann et al 2015; Aimee van Wynsberghe 2013). Lin et al (2014) employ Affect Control Theory to consider each person's sense of self, and how people seek social situations that allow them to enact this sense of self. This is important for future adaptive ATDs because such systems will respect the identity that the person is trying to enact (Teipel et al 2016).…”

“…Assistive concepts have been developed that build on estimating the social and emotional identity of a person, and tuning interventions and interactions towards that personality (Lin et al 2014). Previous systems, although functional, often would not work for specific individuals, which appears indicative of an emotional mis-alignment between the person and the system (Lin et al 2014). A person may not respond well to a specific type of assistance, because they feel it is too imperative (''who is this telling me what to do?…”

Symbolic Interaction with Consumer Products: An Affect Control Theory Approach

“…After briefly overviewing affect control theory, we discuss how the concepts of affective meaning, identity modification, and impression management function within affect control theory and how they can be applied to a better understanding of consumer products within social contexts. In this explanation we draw on an emerging body of research on consumer products, technology, and physical design using affect control theory (Heise ; King ; Lin et al ; Lulham , ; Lulham et al ; Shank , , ; Shank and Lulham ; Troyer , ). We then present three promising new research directions – social interaction with consumer products, affective design of consumer products, and the prosumer identity created from consumer products.…”