Creating meaningful computing systems

Alessandro Bozzon, Professor of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence at Delft University of Technology, is a strong advocate for involving the user in the design of computing systems. ‘Over the past decades, I have seen awareness grow that we cannot do without the end users in designing digital technology, since computing systems are primarily meant to support humans in their activities.’

How did you end up in computer science?

‘When I was in high school back in Italy, I could choose between studying mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or informatics. Since building digital technology appealed to me more than building electronic or mechanical things, I decided to enroll in informatics. I was not the type of student who engaged in a lot of videogames or anything, but I was fascinated by the web, that started to become a thing when I commenced my studies. Web programming and connecting databases attracted me, especially when used to create meaningful learning experiences.
The fact that I ended up in science was the result of a happy accident. My master’s end project was part of a larger research program, and I really enjoyed the process of creating new knowledge in a collaborative effort. So, I decided to pursue a PhD. And I never left science since.’

How and when did you get fascinated by human-computer interaction?

‘My doctoral studies were in the field of database systems and information retrieval. Essentially, information retrieval is about enabling people to discover and make use of knowledge. It struck me that a lot of those systems only make sense if they are designed with the people who use them in mind.
In many of our current-day activities, computers fulfil a supporting role, for example in decision-making, learning and facilitating creativity. Since computers should be used at the service of people, understanding the needs, interests, capabilities and behavior of users has become more important than ever. I am convinced that studying human-computer interaction is a key element to creating impactful computing systems that empower people.’

What are you currently working on?

‘A good example of the type of projects I engage in is our Perspectief-project TACIT which was recently granted. This is a nice collaborative work that brings together many HCI-researchers. The goal of the project is to improve the accessibility of public services for people who are facing long-term visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments, which goes for a quarter of the Dutch population. In the project, we will provide new insights and develop new applications based on extended reality and artificial intelligence technology. This project is a nice combination of fundamental research in AI and XR and creating impactful technology by design.’

How do you tackle such a challenge?

‘We co-design and co-develop a solution together with stakeholders and possible end users, and subsequently evaluate its effect and improve it in an iterative way. That starts by establishing a thorough understanding of the problem space in order to be able to expand the solution space. Then we design a solution that is as close as possible to the desired outcome, and measure its effect, mixing quantitative and qualitative methods.’

What is the biggest scientific challenge in your work?

‘There is a lack of understanding when it comes to the needs of users. In addition to that, we do not have the right metrics to measure to what extent we are satisfying these needs. That is why we are now establishing a broad methodological toolkit to fill this gap. We are engaging with different application areas to distill generalizable lessons and establish a body of knowledge that will advance the way in which we design computing systems.’

What is your personal ambition with your research?

‘Ultimately, the HCI community aims to improve the performance of computing systems in such a way that they are better aligned with the needs of users and the problem they are supposed to help solve.
Take Artificial Intelligence as an example. I am a strong believer of the potential disruptive character of this technology. But we need to make sure we don’t create it in such a way that we have to fix it afterwards. It is my ambition to help the Dutch HCI community to become world leading in creating really inclusive and sustainable AI systems.’

Within IPN, you are representing the Special Interest Group Human-Computer Interaction. What does the HCI community hope to achieve?

‘The ambition with the SIG is to facilitate the creation of critical mass on research and education in this field. As a first exercise, we made a map of the Dutch landscape in this field. That involves dozens of knowledge and educational institutes, and many groups and activities. As Dutch HCI researchers, we are one of the biggest communities worldwide, and we have a longstanding tradition of excellence.
With the SIG, we want to enhance the visibility of our field on a national and European level. One of the practical reasons for this is the fact that our type of research now doesn’t land in any of the boxes of funding organizations. For example, HCI does not really fit in any of the categories NWO applies in its granting process. That hinders people from obtaining grants, since they are not judged by the standards of our field, but by those of some other subdiscipline, which never really matches our practices, methods and metrics.
Our field is now more important than ever. Computing systems are disrupting the way we learn, socialize, and communicate. And they have a huge environmental impact.
Overall, there is a more profound understanding of the fact that computational systems are created for a purpose, and that the ultimate outcomes can be far away from that purpose. Engaging with users while developing new technologies is a necessary precondition to create systems for a positive society. Our field was the first to do that. IPN has a fundamental role in spreading this narrative, and making sure that the Dutch computer science community can play an important role in steering policy in governments and businesses. I am happy to help bring the HCI voice to that table.’