Designing Transformative Experiences: Exploring the Potential of Virtual Technologies for Personal Change
Andrea Gaggioli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Creating Human-Computer Partnerships
Wendy E. Mackay, LISN, Inria, Paris-Saclay, and the Université Paris-Saclay, France
Aesthetically Resonant Multimodal Interactive Systems
Antonio Camurri, DIBRIS, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy
Designing Transformative Experiences: Exploring the Potential of Virtual Technologies for Personal Change
Andrea Gaggioli
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Italy
Brief Bio
Andrea Gaggioli is full professor in Psychology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, where he leads the Research Center in Communication Psychology (PsiCom) and the International Master in User Experience Psychology (UxP). His research focuses on the psychology of digital media, employing a diverse array of methodologies and tools to explore how technology influences human experience and behavior. With a Ph.D. in Psychobiology from the University of Milan, Dr. Gaggioli developed the "Positive Technology" approach, which is now a well-established research area. He has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Science and Nature, and keynoted at several international conferences.
Abstract
As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are poised to reshape the way we engage with experiences, particularly those aimed at personal growth and self-discovery. By enabling individuals to step into alternate realities and navigate simulated scenarios, these technologies have the potential to facilitate transformative experiences that lead to personal change, growth, and development. In this keynote, I will delve into the psychological mechanisms underpinning the efficacy of virtual transformative experiences, highlighting how these technologies can evoke emotional responses, challenge perspectives, and prompt introspection. Additionally, ethical considerations surrounding the design and implementation of such experiences will be addressed, ensuring that the potential of these technologies is harnessed responsibly and thoughtfully.
Creating Human-Computer Partnerships
Wendy E. Mackay
LISN, Inria, Paris-Saclay, and the Université Paris-Saclay
France
https://ex-situ.lri.fr/people/mackay/
Brief Bio
Wendy Mackay is a Research Director, at Inria Saclay where she leads the Ex-Situ research lab in Human-Computer Interaction, and a Professor in the LISN lab at the Université Paris-Saclay CNRS Computer Science Research laboratory. She was the 2021-2022 Annual Chair for Computer Science for the Collège de France, and is a Doctor Honoris Causa, Aarhus University, an ACM Fellow and a member of the ACM CHI Academy. Current application areas range from work with creative professionals (choreographers, designers, and musicians) to safety critical settings (smart cockpits and emergency control rooms).
Abstract
How can we can design “human-computer partnerships” that take optimal advantage of human skills and system capabilities? Artificial Intelligence research is usually measured in terms of the effectiveness of an algorithm, whereas Human-Computer Interaction research focuses on enhancing human abilities. I argue that better AI algorithms are neither necessary nor sufficient for creating more effective intelligent systems. Instead, we need to focus on the details of interaction and how to successfully balance the simplicity of the user's interaction with the expressive power of the system. After describing our approach to “generative theories of interaction”, I will illustrate how to create interactive intelligent systems where users can discover relevant functionality, express individual differences and appropriate the system for their own personal use.
Aesthetically Resonant Multimodal Interactive Systems
Antonio Camurri
DIBRIS, Università degli Studi di Genova
Italy
Brief Bio
PhD in Computer Engineering, full professor at University of Genoa (Polytechnic School), where he teaches Human Computer Interaction (MS Computer Engineering; MS Digital Humanities), and scientific director of Casa Paganini Research Centre. His research combine human-computer interaction and affective computing with artistic and humanistic research: non-verbal multimodal interactive systems; automated analysis and interactive sonification of non-verbal full-body expressive gesture, emotion, and social signals in performing arts, active experience of cultural content, cultural welfare, therapy, and rehabilitation. Coordinator of 6 EU ICT and FET projects, Principal Investigator in over 20 EU projects and scientific responsible for industry contracts . Member of the editorial boards of the Journal of New Music Research and of Plos One journal, of the ESF College of Expert Reviewers, member of the board of directors of Museo Palazzo Reale of Genoa, co-director of the Joint Research Laboratory ARIEL (Augmented Rehabilitation Lab) with Gaslini Children Hospital. Scientific collaborations in artistic projects include music theatre projects of Luciano Berio (Scala di Milano 1996; Salzburg Festival 1999) and dance projects of Virgilio Sieni. Coordinator for University of Genoa of 2004, 2005, and 2006 New York University Summer Program on Music, Dance, and New Technology.
Abstract
Art and science are often viewed as distant domains only loosely connected. In recent years we are now witnessing more interaction between the two. This has led to an increased awareness of how art and science are indeed two different but strongly coupled aspects of human creativity, both driving innovation as art influences science and technology, and as science and technology in turn inspire art.
Recognizing this mutually beneficial relationship, the Casa Paganini research centre cultivates the intersection of scientific and technological research in human-centered computing where art and humanistic culture are a fundamental source of inspiration in a trans-disciplinary approach.
In this seminar, I discuss concrete examples on how our collaboration with artists informed our work on the automated analysis of nonverbal expressive and social behavior and interactive sonification, including presentation of some of the scientific and technological results from the EU projects H2020 FET PROACTIVE EnTimeMent and EU Horizon Europe STARTS ICT ReSilence.