A perceptually based computational framework for the interpretation of spatial language

The goal of this work is to develop a semantic framework to underpin the development of natural language (NL) interfaces for 3 Dimensional (3-D) simulated environments. The thesis of this work is that the computational interpretation of language in such environments should be based on a framework that integrates a model of visual perception with a model of discourse. When interacting with a 3-D environment, users have two main goals the first is to move around in the simulated environment and the second is to manipulate objects in the environment. In order to interact with an object through language, users need to be able to refer to the object. There are many different types of referring expressions including definite descriptions, pronominals, demonstratives, one-anaphora, other-expressions, and locative-expressions Some of these expressions are anaphoric (e g , pronominals, oneanaphora, other-expressions). In order to computationally interpret these, it is necessary to develop, and implement, a discourse model. Interpreting locative expressions requires a semantic model for prepositions and a mechanism for selecting the user’s intended frame of reference. Finally, many of these expressions presuppose a visual context. In order to interpret them this context must be modelled and utilised. This thesis develops a perceptually grounded discourse-based computational model of reference resolution capable of handling anaphoric and locative expressions. There are three novel contributions in this framework a visual saliency algorithm, a semantic model for locative expressions containing projective prepositions, and a discourse model. The visual saliency algorithm grades the prominence of the objects in the user's view volume at each frame. This algorithm is based on the assumption that objects which are larger and more central to the user's view are more prominent than objects which are smaller or on the periphery of their view. The resulting saliency ratings for each frame are stored in a data structure linked to the NL system’s context model. This approach gives the system a visual memory that may be drawn upon in order to resolve references. The semantic model for locative expressions defines a computational algorithm for interpreting locatives that contain a projective preposition. Specifically, the prepositions in front of behind, to the right of, and to the left of. There are several novel components within this model. First, there is a procedure for handling the issue of frame of reference selection. Second, there is an algorithm for modelling the spatial templates of projective prepositions. This algonthm integrates a topological model with visual perceptual cues. This approach allows us to correctly define the regions described by projective preposition in the viewer-centred frame of reference, in situations that previous models (Yamada 1993, Gapp 1994a, Olivier et al 1994, Fuhr et al 1998) have found problematic. Thirdly, the abstraction used to represent the candidate trajectors of a locative expression ensures that each candidate is ascribed the highest rating possible. This approach guarantees that the candidate trajector that occupies the location with the highest applicability in the prepositions spatial template is selected as the locative’s referent. The context model extends the work of Salmon-Alt and Romary (2001) by integrating the perceptual information created by the visual saliency algonthm with a model of discourse. Moreover, the context model defines an interpretation process that provides an explicit account of how the visual and linguistic information sources are utilised when attributing a referent to a nominal expression. It is important to note that the context model provides the set of candidate referents and candidate trajectors for the locative expression interpretation algorithm. These are restncted to those objects that the user has seen. The thesis shows that visual salience provides a qualitative control in NL interpretation for 3-D simulated environments and captures interesting and significant effects such as graded judgments. Moreover, it provides an account for how object occlusion impacts on the semantics of projective prepositions that are canonically aligned with the front-back axis in the viewer-centred frame of reference

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume 5. Gender and Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume

Towards an ethics for digital media : challenges between the private and the public ; what, after all, are we doing with words?

Notre problématique centrale concerne le défi éthico-discursif d’une communication qui soit appropriée aux sociétés démocratiques, sur la base de la distinction entre argumentation légitime (persuasion/appropriation) et manipulation (abus/violence). Dans un monde compris comme « globalisé », un tel défi rencontre le problème cognitiviste de traiter les dichotomies entre universel/contextuel, objectif/subjective, public/privé (etc.) dans notre vivre-ensemble, lequel se trouve maintenant largement médiatisé par les technologies numériques. Il faut noter également que tout ce qui vaut pour des actions, en général, vaut également pour la discussion en tant qu’action fondamentale et constitutive des sociétés humaines, où les interlocuteurs sont supposés s’exprimer ouvertement, ainsi que tenir bien compte de leurs points de vue réciproques afin d’arriver, d’une façon simultanément raisonnable et critique, à un accord en suivant une discussion critique (Habermas 1992). La communication légitime aurait ce pouvoir, malgré le défi du « paradoxe de l’argumentation » tel que souligné par Philippe Breton (2008), de dépasser les points de vue individuels des interlocuteurs, afin d’arriver à un résultat partagé qui consisterait en une intégration dans un tout universalisable (consensus – Apel 1994). (Ex.: la constitution d’un pays, les lois internationales comme la Carte des Droits Fondamentaux de l’Homme et qui sait, par la suite, une Magna Carta pour l’Internet.) Ces éléments, posés dans la première partie du texte, viennent nous préparer pour la seconde partie, consacrée à une éthique pour les médias numériques. Notre objectif est donc de lier une préoccupation d’éthique et de philosophie politique, incluant une préoccupation centrale pour l’argumentation, avec celle de la question des mécanismes dont nous disposons, ou devrions disposer, sur la question complexe et difficile de ce qu’on peut appeler l’éthique de la protection de la vie privée de la personne sur internet. Les premiers points sont traités dans la partie A, pour en venir à l’éthique des médias numériques dans la partie B. Conclusions : Le paradigme proposé par l’éthique discursive offre une approche possible de la communication afin de la comprendre de façon moins réductionniste (c.-à-d., plus holistique), ce qui est mieux approprié à un monde qui se comprend de plus en plus comme « globalisé ». La synthèse du modèle triadique « composé », selon Peirce-Mead-Grize-Breton, se présente comme un outil éclairant pour cette prise en compte, dans la mesure où elle fournir un cadre interprétatif et critique. Selon ce cadre théorique on analyse les régulations au Canada et au Brésil, en utilisant le model triangulaire adapté du triangle argumentatif de Breton. Une Magna Carta « universalisable » pour l’Internet devient une piste envisagée, en soulignant ces trois principes centraux: - neutralité de la toile; - protection de la liberté d’expression; - protection des données personnelles, liée au droit de la vie privée (« privacy »).Abstract : We confront the tension between legitimacy vs. manipulation in persuasive discourse: the old tricky aporia of argumentation, dating back to the ancient Greeks when they first founded democracy. This has been more recently highlighted by Philippe Breton (2008) as the subtle “paradox of argumentation,” which concerns the dynamics of human language as a valuable hermeneutical enterprise, one susceptible to (mis) interpretations as well as to phenomena of critical dissent and controversies. Our main questions subsequently turn around the central concern of how we may promote democratic participation and discussion, in the era of the Internet, in ways that can work to motivate the improvement of our inter-subjective communicative performances in healthy and legitimate manners, instead of facilitating corruption via blunt censorship or other manipulative tricks. As we consider dialogue and argumentation to be the most crucial traits of the democratic enterprise, we also discuss the role played by American pragmatism to the nourishment of such democratic ideal. Particularly, we focus on the theoretical approaches proposed by Peirce and Mead concerning autonomy and reflexivity, not without mentioning its champion on education, John Dewey, whose works have all been preoccupied with the maintenance and development of the main axes for good functioning democratic societies, namely: education, science, and communication. To better reflect about this, we integrate into Breton’s triangle a Peirce-Mead semiotic “triadic” approach that supports autonomy, so as to propose a compounded model that is able to both encompass the rich possibilities of communication and, on the other hand, delimit as much as possible the range of interactive dialogism, peculiar to human language, so as to foster ethical (legitimate) exchanges. All these elements considered in Part A prepare the terrain for the subsequent considerations developed in Part B, regarding an ethics for digital media. Conclusions: • The paradigm proposed by Discourse Ethics, under the light of a semiotic approach on autonomy, reflexivity and the self, is suggested as a reliable theoretical framework of departure. • This has led us to a compounded ‘triadic’ model that incorporates the most relevant aspects from the views of Peirce, Mead, Grize and Breton. • Then, in Part B, concerning the challenges brought by Digital Media to contemporary societies, we conclude that the more of one’s privacy an individual is required to relinquish for governments and/or companies (no matter the reasons involved), the more transparency by those handling one’s sensitive information should be required to be provided, in return. • All this in order to prevent manipulation and abuses of power as much as possible, so as to keep a balanced ‘communicative triangle’ among interlocutors (according to the proposed triangular model), essential for democracies to be maintained and thrive, so as to rend possible the adoption of a Magna Carta for the Internet that would be globally acceptable and focused on the three main principles of: - net neutrality; - freedom of expression; - privacy protection

Slava Ukraini: a psychobiographical case study of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public diplomacy discourse

Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u27s public diplomacy during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict was examined in this dissertation. Zelenskyy’s discourse emphasized his action-oriented traits, Ukrainian identity, and nationalism. The study employed LTA, and LIWC-22, for natural language processing analyses of Zelenskyy\u27s public speeches and diplomatic discourse. Zelenskyy demonstrated agency, adaptability, collaboration, and positive language patterns, suggesting confidence and optimism, according to the data. In addition, the research emphasizes how domestic and international factors influence state behavior, as well as how political demands, cultural, historical, and political factors influence Zelenskyy\u27s decision-making. This dissertation sheds light on a global leader\u27s psychobiographical characteristics, beliefs, and motivations during a crisis, thereby advancing leadership and conflict resolution. By incorporating transformational leadership theory into LTA, researchers can gain a better understanding of effective leadership and how it develops strong connections with followers. LTA, LIWC-22, and qualitative coding were used to identify themes and trends in Zelenskyy\u27s speeches. The findings show Zelenskyy\u27s linguistic and leadership traits in public diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of understanding leaders\u27 traits in foreign policy decision-making. Psychobiographical profiles aid scholars in understanding a leader\u27s political views on conflict, their ability to influence events, and how they accomplish their objectives. As a result, perceptions of the state as an actor, as well as foreign policy decisions, must consider the effect of individual leaders. Conclusions include the Brittain-Hale Foreign Policy Analysis Model, based on a heuristic qualitative coding framework; HISTORICAL

A theoretical framework for computer models of cooperative dialogue, acknowledging multi-agent conflict

This thesis describes a theoretical framework for modelling cooperative dialogue. The linguistic theory is a version of speech act theory adopted from Cohen and Levesque, in which dialogue utterances are generated and interpreted pragmatically in the context of a theory of rational interaction. The latter is expressed as explicitly and formally represented principles of rational agenthood and cooperative interaction. The focus is the development of strategic principles of multi-agent interaction as such a basis for cooperative dialogue. In contrast to the majority of existing work, these acknowledge the Positive role of conflict to multi-agent cooperation. and make no assumptions regarding the benevolence and sincerity of agents. The result is a framework wherein agents can resolve conflicts by negotiation. It is a preliminary stage to the future building of computer models of cooperative dialogue for both HCI and DAI, which will therefore be more widely and generally applicable than those currently in existence. The theory of conflict and cooperation is expressed in the different patterns of mental states which characterise multi-agent conflict, cooperation and indifference as three alternative postural relations. Agents can recognise and potentially create these. Dialogue actions are the strategic tools with which mental states can be manipulated, whilst acknowledging that agents are autonomous over their mental states; they have control over what they acquire and reveal in dialogue. Strategic principles of belief and goal adoption are described in terms of the relationships between autonomous agents' beliefs, goals, preferences, and interests, and the relation of these to action. Veracity, mendacity, concealing and revealing are defined as properties of acts. The role of all these elements in reasoning about dialogue action and conflict resolution, is tester in analyses of two example dialogues; a record of a real trade union negotiation and an extract from "Othello" by Shakespeare

Emotions, behaviour and belief regulation in an intelligent guide with attitude

Abstract unavailable please refer to PD

Paradoxes of interactivity: perspectives for media theory, human-computer interaction, and artistic investigations

Current findings from anthropology, genetics, prehistory, cognitive and neuroscience indicate that human nature is grounded in a co-evolution of tool use, symbolic communication, social interaction and cultural transmission. Digital information technology has recently entered as a new tool in this co-evolution, and will probably have the strongest impact on shaping the human mind in the near future. A common effort from the humanities, the sciences, art and technology is necessary to understand this ongoing co- evolutionary process. Interactivity is a key for understanding the new relationships formed by humans with social robots as well as interactive environments and wearables underlying this process. Of special importance for understanding interactivity are human-computer and human-robot interaction, as well as media theory and New Media Art. "Paradoxes of Interactivity" brings together reflections on "interactivity" from different theoretical perspectives, the interplay of science and art, and recent technological developments for artistic applications, especially in the realm of sound

Paradoxes of Interactivity

Current findings from anthropology, genetics, prehistory, cognitive and neuroscience indicate that human nature is grounded in a co-evolution of tool use, symbolic communication, social interaction and cultural transmission. Digital information technology has recently entered as a new tool in this co-evolution, and will probably have the strongest impact on shaping the human mind in the near future. A common effort from the humanities, the sciences, art and technology is necessary to understand this ongoing co- evolutionary process. Interactivity is a key for understanding the new relationships formed by humans with social robots as well as interactive environments and wearables underlying this process. Of special importance for understanding interactivity are human-computer and human-robot interaction, as well as media theory and New Media Art. »Paradoxes of Interactivity« brings together reflections on »interactivity« from different theoretical perspectives, the interplay of science and art, and recent technological developments for artistic applications, especially in the realm of sound