What is (H)CI: Why Does the "Human'' Matter?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the evolving nature of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), emphasizing the importance of the human element amid the rise of generative AI and exploring future directions of the field.

Contribution

It brings together interdisciplinary perspectives to reflect on the fundamental questions of what HCI is and why the human aspect remains crucial in the age of AI.

Findings

HCI has historically focused on human-centered design.

The workshop encourages reflection on HCI's future and human relevance.

Discussions highlight the importance of human considerations in AI integration.

Abstract

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a diverse field bringing together theories and methods from fields such as computer science, psychology, and human factors. Historically, HCI has focused on the human through ``user'' or ``human'' centered design, where the focus was either on information processing or understanding people and their concerns with respect to technology. However, amid the increasing adoption of generative AI tools, this workshop explores two critical questions in regards to HCI: What is HCI? and Why does the ``human'' matter? We aim to bring together researchers from diverse disciplines to reflect on these questions. Through guided discussions, group brainstorming, and reflection, we explore what HCI means, what the field may look like in the future, and why it is important to remember the ``human'' aspect of the field.