Nonetheless, the video makes a compelling case for the potential benefits from this style of interface, if it can be built. Well, roughly ten years have transpired since the making of the video. We have a talking paper clip. Virtually everyone who uses Windows has had experiences with the Paper Clip. Most people that we know have turned it off and keep it off.
Many people do feel that the idea of personified agents in the user interface is a misguided notion.
They argue that this is an inappropriate and inefficient interaction paradigm, and cite the general disdain for the Paper Clip as evidence of their view. The research program that we are advocating seeks to examine and analyze this debate. We want to explore the notion of personified agents in the interface and examine whether this type of interface metaphor has potential and should be pursued. For instance, in regards to the Paper Clip, we are curious why people turn it off. Our goal is to initiate a new research program that will build this type of interface, explore the software infrastructure needed for such a system, and run empirical studies to gauge people's reactions to it.