When Is Assistance Really Helpful?

Interaction Challenges for Intelligent Assistants

Volume

Papers from the 2007 AAAI Spring Symposium

Contents

We regularly operate under the notion that one agent assists another when the first does something for the second. However, the story behind this is much more complicated. In this position paper, we explore two questions: How can we evaluate the quality or goodness of a particular instance of assistance? and How can we design agents to initiate and provide "good" assistance? In asking these questions, we are assuming two things. First, performing a task for another agent is not always helpful to that agent even if the task really needs to be done. But second, a helper that does not have the skill or resources to accomplish a specifically requested task may still provide real help. Our experimental work attempts to address the fundamental elements of helpful assistance. One surprising initial result reminds us of an common understanding about help: providing assistance is a two-way street.