The field of human-computer interaction is witnessing a significant shift towards leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to promote youth wellbeing and safety. Researchers are exploring innovative applications of large language models (LLMs) and virtual humans to support adolescents in navigating the complexities of digital interactions. A key direction in this field is the development of adaptive scaffolding systems that foster healthy mobile interactions and provide personalized support for young people.
Noteworthy papers in this area include Can Code Outlove Blood, which presents a VR experience powered by LLMs to prompt reflection on parental verbal abuse, and Applying LLM-Powered Virtual Humans to Child Interviews in Child-Centered Design, which establishes key design guidelines for LLM-powered virtual humans tailored to child interviews.
The field of online social media and user interaction is shifting towards a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in creating safe and supportive online environments. Researchers are working to develop more effective methods for auditing and regulating social media algorithms, with a focus on reproducibility and generalizability of findings.
Innovations in AI-powered emotional reflection and narrative-centered approaches are also being developed to foster autonomous emotional literacy and promote psychological growth. Noteworthy papers include SnuggleSense, which introduces a system for empowering online harm survivors through structured sensemaking, and Reflexion, which presents an AI-powered platform for scaffolding autonomous emotional literacy.
The intersection of AI and human-computer interaction is also being explored in the context of embodied intelligence, where agents interact with the physical world through integrated perception, cognition, action, and advanced reasoning powered by LLMs. A key area of focus is the development of multi-agent collaboration frameworks that enable LLMs to adaptively collaborate and perform complex tasks.
Furthermore, the field of AI-powered mental health support is moving towards a more nuanced understanding of the values and harms associated with the use of LLMs in this context. Researchers are investigating the potential benefits and risks of LLMs, such as ChatGPT, in providing support for individuals with mental health concerns.
Overall, the integration of AI in various fields is transforming the way we approach youth wellbeing and safety, online social media, emotional reflection, and mental health support. While there are challenges and risks associated with these developments, the potential benefits and innovations in this area are significant and warrant further research and exploration.
