Human-Computer Interaction: Trends, Research, Future

Abstract

With information and communication technologies becoming an essential part of human life, the very nature of relations between human and computers is changing. Technologies are aimed at augmenting certain human values, but they may contradict with other values thus having adverse implications for quality of life. Is it possible to preserve key values in the face of such transformations? The solution of this vital question largely depends on research and development in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) — an interdisciplinary field that has gained rapid development in recent decades.

This topic is of great concern to Microsoft. The paper summarizes the results of longstanding research conducted by the company in the field. It provides a historical overview of developing HCI research, their state-of-art and future outlook; analyses major trends that radically transform relations between human and technology, related opportunities, risks and relevant issues for R&D. Then, it sets out recommendations on reforming the HCI sphere so that it could provide a relevant response to future challenges. First, it is suggested that the way that user-centered research and design is conducted be extended by including another stage of conceptual analysis that explicitly addresses ethical, social and political implications of unfolding trends. A second way forward is to strengthen focus on interdisciplinary facets of Human-Computer Interaction. This presumes elaboration of a lingua franca that enables analyzing emergent transformations, and exploring how to steer them in “human” directions. It is important to define a set of immutable values that are vital for supporting human identity. These values should retain a dominant position in the flux of continuing technology-driven transformations.