Smit Desai is a conversational AI researcher and Assistant Professor at Northeastern University. Together with Clark Ohlenbusch (a fellow student I met at Umass Boston), we discussed the nuances of conversational interfaces, particularly focusing on voice technology. Smit shared insights from his research on how users interact with voice interfaces, emphasizing the differences between graphical and voice interfaces, the phenomenon of anthropomorphism, and the implications of creating an illusion of agency in AI. The conversation also touched on the emotional bonds users form with technology and the potential risks associated with trusting these systems too much. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of human-machine interaction and the importance of being mindful of the information shared with technology.

You can find out more about Smit and his work here: smitdesai.net

Main takeaways:

1. Understanding user mental models is crucial for interface design.
2. The illusion of agency in AI is a significant design choice.
3. There are significant ethical considerations in how we design and market AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversational Interfaces

02:44 Understanding User Experience in Voice Interfaces

10:04 Anthropomorphism in Human-Machine Interaction

17:36 Ethical Considerations in AI and User Trust