Trappl, who heads the Department of Medical Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Vienna, holds a Ph.D. in psychology, with a minor in astronomy, a diploma in sociology and is an electrical engineer. We, who work on artificial intelligence, made the mistake of ignoring the subject of emotion. It was considered as just a disturbing factor. Microsoft's Ball is looking forward to hearing a variety of views on emotions. Ball is working on a computer-based architecture for modeling emotions and personalities.
Some researchers even look for signs that the user is disappointed with the computer.
Users' choice of words, the pace and rhythm of their speech, their facial expression, posture and gestures are among the signs that can be monitored and analyzed. Based on such observations, a computer could then adjust itself to the mood of the user, sending out appropriate responses. A user who is about to blow his or her top because of technical problems, could have their frustration acknowledged by the computer and vent their feelings, as well as receive some extra help in solving the problem. For instance, speech technology still needs to become less sensitive to a stressed human voice, he said. But it can be used, to a certain degree, when the conversation takes place via keyboard and screen, Ball said.