Artificial intelligence is everywhere and it is becoming increasingly important to know its characteristics, benefits and potential uses. As society learns to use computers in new ways, it will become increasingly important to understand and improve human-machine interaction. 

Human-computer interaction focuses on the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computer systems. With advancements in technology such as Emotion AI, the human-computer interaction experience continues to improve. 

According to the Interaction Design Foundation, human-computer interaction originated as early as the 1980s as computers “…started turning up in homes and offices in society-changing numbers.” While it initially focused on desktop computers, interactions between humans and other devices and digital environments has expanded.

Emotion AI, also known as affective computing, is the ability of a computer system to recognize, interpret, and respond to human emotions. This technology has the potential to greatly enhance the way humans interact with computers by making those interactions more natural and intuitive. With the help of emotion AI, computers can understand and respond to a user’s emotional state in a more meaningful way.

Human-computer interaction also crosses other disciplines such as user experience (UX). But in the context of Emotion AI, human-computer interaction relies on emotion recognition to identify how the user is feeling at the moment of interaction and emotion generation to respond appropriately. 

As the world witnessed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people mostly relied on computers to work, go to school, and connect with others, accelerating the adoption of digital tools. Human beings communicate through continuous emotional exchanges. This piece of communication is missing in human-machine interaction to date. The ability to interpret emotional reactions is the next critical step to disrupting interaction.

Human-computer interaction has only become more important over the years and thankfully, with Emotion AI, presents some new use cases. For example, a virtual assistant can help with daily tasks, recognize when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and provide suggestions and support to help you cope. It can also adjust its responses and tone to match your current emotional state, making the interaction feel more natural and human-like.

Human-computer interaction when combined with Emotion AI can also help make technology more accessible to people with disabilities. For example, a person with a visual impairment can use Emotion AI to control a computer or mobile device through facial expressions or vocal cues. This can make it easier for them to access and use technology, and enhance their overall experience.

Emotion AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with computers and other technology. For example, it could enable us to have more natural and intuitive conversations with our devices, using gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues to communicate our needs and desires. It could also allow us to control and interact with technology in new and creative ways, using our emotions as a form of input.

Human-computer interaction is just one factor in the field of Emotion AI. This Glossary of Emotion AI explains more about the field and the different concepts involved. You can also see Emotion AI in action by scheduling a demo with the Emotiva team.