Uncertainty, Action, and Interaction: In Pursuit of Mixed-Initiative Computing
Eric Horvitz · 1999
references to the automated control of turn taking in human-computer conversation, 6 and the coordinated application of a set of problem-solving methodologies. 7 I shall use the phrase to refer broadly to methods that explicitly support an efficient, natural interleaving of contributions by users and automated services aimed at converging on solutions to problems. 8 Taking a mixed-initiative approach promises to dramatically enhance human-computer interaction by allowing computers to behave more like associates, able to work with users to develop a shared understanding of goals and to contribute to problem solving in the most appropriate way. Achieving such a dream of fluid collaboration between users and computers requires solving several difficult challenges. In particular, we need to develop machinery for gathering information and making inferences about the intentions, attention, and competencies of users---and for u