MICROS: Mixed-Initiative ConveRsatiOnal Systems Workshop

TL;DR

This workshop explores innovative approaches in mixed-initiative conversational systems, emphasizing proactive interactions and handling ambiguous user requests to improve information access via smartphones and home assistants.

Contribution

It introduces the first edition of MICROS workshop, focusing on novel ideas and challenges in developing proactive, mixed-initiative conversational systems.

Findings

Identifies key challenges in mixed-initiative systems

Highlights importance of proactive and interpretative capabilities

Encourages research on handling ambiguous requests

Abstract

The 1st edition of the workshop on Mixed-Initiative ConveRsatiOnal Systems (MICROS@ECIR2021) aims at investigating and collecting novel ideas and contributions in the field of conversational systems. Oftentimes, the users fulfill their information need using smartphones and home assistants. This has revolutionized the way users access online information, thus posing new challenges compared to traditional search and recommendation. The first edition of MICROS will have a particular focus on mixed-initiative conversational systems. Indeed, conversational systems need to be proactive, proposing not only answers but also possible interpretations for ambiguous or vague requests.