Inclusive design of a sensitive virtual assistant to support people in vulnerable positions in their access to care

Hanneke van Heijster, C. Liebrecht, Nadine Bol, Julia van Calis, Anneke van der Cruijsen, Marcel Dijkgraaf, Wien Feitz, Michael Muller, Emilie Tromp, Kirsten Bevelander, Marjolijn Antheunis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

Abstract

In many European societies, the demand for health and social care for
people in vulnerable positions are increasing. Together with a lack of personal and growing societal care costs, it is warranted to look for innovative ways to better support people in vulnerable positions in their care. People in vulnerable positions often face challenges in the timely access to various forms of care they need, for example due an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a mental disorder. This project examines the possibility of a virtual assistant to improve access to care for people in vulnerable positions. Innovative in this project is the study of whether and how a ‘sensitive’ virtual assistant can be developed, i.e., a virtual assistant that modifies to the different needs of the target group through adaptive and inclusive artificial intelligence technology. The sensitive virtual assistant will be developed through a design thinking method, in which 1) the current and desired experiences of the target group regarding their care and support are mapped, and 2) the sensitive virtual assistant's ability to address these needs and adapt its functionalities to different users will be explored. Interestingly, this study takes place in close collaboration with ‘citizen scientists’ who have a cognitive impairment such as intellectual disability or ASD. In this inclusive research trajectory, they ensure that the virtual assistant will fit the needs and lifeworld of the target population. This project is expected to generate theoretical, methodological and technological contributions to the field of chatbot research, citizen science and inclusive research.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCONVERSATIONS 2022
Subtitle of host publicationthe 6th International Workshop on Chatbot Research, Applicatinos and Design
Pages1-6
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 23 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • eHealth
  • Co-design
  • AI-technology
  • Chatbot
  • People in vulnerable positions,
  • Inclusive research
  • Citizen Science

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