2023 Faculty Courses School of Engineering Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics Graduate major in Industrial Engineering and Economics
Human-Agent Interaction
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Industrial Engineering and Economics
- Instructor(s)
- Hiroyuki Umemuro / Katie Seaborn / Mayu Koike
- Class Format
- Lecture/Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon (W9-425) / 7-8 Thu (W9-425)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- IEE.C534
- Number of credits
- 110
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This post-graduate course explores the complex dynamics of human agent interactions with a particular focus on anthropomorphism and relationships in digital spaces. Students will critically examine the theoretical frameworks and empirical research surrounding the formation and maintenance of relationships with virtual agents and robots. Through discussions and practical assignments, students will gain insights into the psychological and social perspectives of these interactions.
This course is a renamed course from AY2023 from the course formerly named "Human-Robot Interaction" (IEE.C534).
Course description and aims
Students will
1) Learn basic psychological and sociological concepts and how to apply them to the design of human-virtual agents and robot interaction
2) Understand human capabilities and limitations that have to be considered in interactions between human and virtual agents / robots.
3) Develop a critical understand of the impact of new technologies on society
Keywords
human-agent interaction, anthropomorphism, identity, social relationship, communication, empathy
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each class will cover a different topic relevant for human-agent interaction. Every class contains a lecture and group discussions / group work. Students will deepen critical understanding of the topics through example, exercises, and/or discussions.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | Course content, class flow, course requirements will be explained |
| Class 2 | Introduction to Human-Virtual Agent Interactions and Anthropomorphism | This class provides with an introduction to the course, highlighting the significance of human-virtual agent interactions and the role of anthropomorphism in shaping relationships in digital spaces. |
| Class 3 | Anthropomorphism: Perception and Attribution of Human-Like Traits | Students will learn anthropomorphism which is the psychological mechanisms that lead to the perception and attribution of human-like traits to non-human entities |
| Class 4 | Cultural Perspectives on Virtual Agent Relationships | This class explores the cultural influence in virtual agent relationships. Students will delve into how cultural values, beliefs, and norms influence the formation of relationships with virtual agents. |
| Class 5 | Virtual Romance and Intimate Relationships | Students will learn the complexities of virtual romance and intimate relationships with virtual agents. The class covers topics such as romantic relationships with virtual agents, companionship, intimacy, and the challenges of understanding between real and virtual connections. |
| Class 6 | Virtual Agents as Social Companions for Loneliness and Social Isolation | Students will examine the potential of virtual agents to address issues of loneliness and social isolation. The class covers topics such as virtual companionship and social support for human connection. |
| Class 7 | Preparation Day: Team building session toward final report and presentation | Final reports and presentations of this class will be given as groups, not by individuals. In this class meet, students are to form their own group and clearly decide the role of each within own teams for the tasks toward final reports/presentations. |
| Class 8 | Morality and AI | TBA |
| Class 9 | Agent and Identity | This lesson focuses on the meaning and significance of the social identities (gender, age, race, etc.) of the agents. |
| Class 10 | Voice interaction | This lesson focuses on the design of voice interaction, which is one of the major interaction channels with agents. |
| Class 11 | Non-verbal interaction | Non-verbal information is important in human-agent interaction as much as human-human interactions. This lesson learns the variety of the non-verbal information we can design in human-agent interactions, and the concepts we should understand in designing. |
| Class 12 | HAI and trust | How humans trust agents is an important issue in the human-agent relationship. In this lesson, students will learn about the concept of trust, factors that can influence trust between humans and agents, and interaction design that enhances trust. |
| Class 13 | Presentation | Review of specific available applications that facilitate daily life and are used in the service sector |
| Class 14 | Challenges and Future scenarios of human- agent interactions | Discussing challenges of human- agent interactions that emerge with the evolution of more intelligent interactive technologies. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to prepare for class and to review class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class, referring to class materials and references.
Textbook(s)
No textbook is set.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Additional course materials will be provided in class or on T2SCHOLA.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance at classes 20%.
Presentation 30%
Peer review of the presentation 10%
Final report 40%
Related courses
- IEE.C202 ： Modern Industrial Engineering I
- IEE.C203 ： Engineering Psychology
- IEE.C304 ： Human Factors and Ergonomics
- IEE.C306 ： Prototyping UX
- IEE.D435 ： Computers in Society
- IEE.C432 ： Cognitive Ergonomics
- IEE.C533 ： Affect in Social Context
Prerequisites
Nothing in particular. Interest in the subject and being able to discuss in English.