Co-Disclosing the Computer: LLM-Mediated Computing through Reflective Conversation

TL;DR

This paper introduces LLM-mediated computing, a new paradigm where human-computer interaction emerges through reflective conversation with large language models, redefining the computer's role.

Contribution

It presents a new interaction metaphor, applies postphenomenology to understand human-LLM relations, and proposes co-disclosure as a mode of computing.

Findings

Articulates a new interaction metaphor of reflective conversation.

Uses postphenomenology to analyze human-LLM-computer relations.

Proposes co-disclosure as a new mode of computing.

Abstract

Large language models (LLMs) are changing how we interact with computers. As they become capable of generating software dynamically, they invite a fundamental rethinking of the computer's role in human activity. In this conceptual paper, we introduce LLM-mediated computing: a paradigm in which interaction is no longer structured around fixed applications, but emerges in real-time through human intent and LLM interpretation. We make three contributions: (1) we articulate a new interaction metaphor of reflective conversation to guide future design, (2) we use the lens of postphenomenology to understand the human-LLM-computer relation, and (3) we propose a new mode of computing based on co-disclosure, in which the computer is constituted in use. Together, they define a new mode of computing, provide a lens to analyze it, and offer a metaphor to design with.