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9.3.7 Systems Engineering Support Using an Embodied Conversational Agent
Author(s) -
Leibrandt Robert P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.2002.tb02504.x
Subject(s) - embodied cognition , computer science , profiling (computer programming) , embodied agent , intelligent agent , knowledge management , human–computer interaction , artificial intelligence , operating system
This paper will provide the rationale for and capabilities of simple intelligent agents and more advanced Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) as an augmentation to the Systems Engineering Professor and Systems Engineering Mentor. The use of these agents to support in‐house Systems Engineering Management training and mentoring efforts with a limited number of teachers and practitioners is discussed. Suppose an intelligent agent or ECA could provide real‐time support to a student that reduces the need for direct instructor involvement. Perhaps a practitioner with a real world problem needs performance support after core business hours. These agents provide a spectrum of capabilities from a series of indexed Frequently Asked Questions to a highly tailored context intelligent response? Yes, this approach allows users to have an interaction with a “guide/mentor” who answers direct questions and can sometimes anticipate the next in the thread based on user profiling. The ECA can react appropriately to the question, tailor the response and generally seem lifelike. How would you go about developing this capability? Is there added benefit in preparing new faculty? How would the practitioner benefit? By discussing the use in terms of the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) and using an existing Systems Engineering case study we'll explore the answers to these questions.