4th Virtual Meetup: 16th November 2023, 16:00 CEST

After a break, the fourth virtual meetup took place on November 16th, 2023. This time, we had two inspiring talks, again from industry and academia:

Convergence of Conversational User Interfaces, Prompt Engineering and No-Code Prototyping
by Anjelika Votintseva, Siemens AG

Abstract: In our ever-changing digital landscape, Conversational User Interfaces (CUIs) are reshaping human-technology interaction. This presentation delves into the convergence of CUIs, empathic computing, prompt engineering, and no-code prototyping, highlighting their potential to make technology more accessible, efficient, and emotionally attuned. Empathic computing, enabled by artificial intelligence, analyzes nuances of human emotion, while prompt engineering guides precise instructions for AI models. These innovations find application in diverse scenarios, including a negotiation simulator, where CUIs adapt responses based on user emotions and learning objectives. By exploring personality traits and diverse models, CUIs can offer tailored interactions, promising to revolutionize industries, redefine customer experiences, and democratize innovation.

About the speaker: Dr. Anjelika Votintseva has worked at Siemens Technology in Munich for 18 years. For the last 4 years she has been working in the UX department as a Senior Scientific Researcher with a focus on prototyping methods. Her work focuses on research and project management in the areas of Empathic Computing, Conversational UI, Artificial Intelligence (focus on Generative AI), Creative Methods, Information and Content Management. She is the author of numerous publications and inventions and speaks at various international and local conferences and workshops.

Human-AI Interaction in Writing Tools (Prof. Dr. Daniel Buschek, Universität Bayreuth
by Daniel Buschek, Universität Bayreuth

Abstract: In this talk, I present our work on interaction with generative AI systems in the context of working with text. I’ll sketch two broad perspectives on interactive generative AI, a technical and a cultural one, before reflecting on the research methods and results of several of our projects. These serve us as examples to identify and discuss a bigger picture of the opportunities and challenges around supporting people in writing (and thinking) with AI.

About the speaker: I am a full professor of mobile and intelligent user interfaces at the University of Bayreuth. My group works at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and AI, exploring interaction with models for text and images to shape the future of AI tools in a human-centred way. Previously, I was head of a research group at University of Bayreuth. Before that, I was post-doc at the Media Informatics group at LMU Munich, where I had also completed my doctoral studies, including stays at the University of Glasgow and Aalto University, Finland.