BOOK SCOPE & TOPICS

The rapid evolution of technology in recent years has upgraded the role of computers and the Internet to an indispensable auxiliary tool for the harmonious and orderly everyday human action. This "Human-Computer Symbiosis" has transformed the computational systems to a new multidimensional communication medium that is based on new challenges, activities, methodologies, processes, tools, and services. In the era of wireless communication, pervasive computing and Internet of Things the need for human-centred computing is even more recognizable for creating effective solutions that could adequately support the generated specialized use cases to the benefit of the unique user.

This book delves into human-centered computing and AI research areas, attempting to reveal the values, paradigms, contextual aspects, challenges and opportunities that arise throughout this end-to-end journey in the intersection of the physical and virtual worlds. It attempts to shed light into the invisible reality that extends from user actions and individual differences, to complex algorithmic computations and virtual networks, so as to address a storyline from the submission of a user’s request (touch interaction point) till the delivery of a response. Special emphasis is placed on promoting original insights and paradigms with respect to latest technologies, current research trends, and innovation directions, e.g., incorporating aspects derived from psychological theory and individual differences in adaptive computational systems and recommenders so as to increase explainability, fairness, and transparency, and decrease bias during interactions while the control remains with the user.

In this respect, the book follows a novel/ hybrid creation and publication style to meet its purpose; it conveys the essence of human-centered AI and complement scientific/ research aspects as a visual quest and specialized textual contributions. Its contents blend into three thematic dimensions:

• [Illustrated content] The core of an AI agent that exists and functions in a virtual network (simulating AI algorithms, methods and paradigms, e.g., how to prepare and provide recommendations over a network of agents to satisfy a user’s request). We keep the standpoint of an innovative AI solution (i.e., a human-centred AI-driven solution that functions over a network, facilitating privacy and data protection, and distinctively bringing the human-in-the-loop, influencing the algorithmic process for best-fit recommendations), and we build upon it, communicating in a transparent manner what is happening in the invisible world of networks and algorithms providing alternative approaches and paradigms;

• [Illustrated content] At designated points throughout the visual flow, are triggered the so called visual Break-stories (focused scientific visual sections), that reflect timely research topics in the neighbourhood of the core theme, whereby the team of experts discuss and offer insights to, e.g., user modeling, data privacy and security, AI ethics, adaptation and personalization, recommenders. Such an approach gives the chance to go deeper in these crucial influential aspects via the dialogical “Socratic Method”, explaining and triggering critical thinking  and informed decisions making;

• [Textual content] State-of-the-art literature/review for each of the dedicated scientific topics (knowledge units) discussed, offering the chance for a deep dive and up-to-date on latest models and technological advancements. Tentative structure (sections) of the textual deep-dive chapters refer to: Introduction, SOTA, Best Practices, Experts standpoint/critique (including suggested models, frameworks, etc.), challenges opportunities, future direction, references).

BOOK STRUCTURE

The contents of this edited book are created as chapters inviting experts to author focused textual scientific contributions - complementing and linking to the visual chapter 1, for a deep-dive to the respective research topics and fields that frame human-centered AI. Accordingly, the audience will have the opportunity to consume its contents as (a) standalone chapters (conventional way), or (b) by engaging into a continues “seamless” reading experience driven by Chapter 1 – the Graphical Chapter (①), with connection (trigger) points from the visual Break-stories (specialized visual sections ②) to Deep-dive textual chapters (③) - see Figs. a and b below:

The tentative structure and thematic topics of the book are mentioned below:

Illustrated Chapter:

• • A Trust Story in the Age of AI

Textual Chapters:

• Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience and AI Systems

• AI Paradigms and Agent-based Technologies

• Conversational User Interfaces and Agents

• AI Ethics

• User Modeling in human-centered AI

• Adaptation & Personalization in Human-centered AI

• Human and Computer Networks

• Privacy in AI

• Human Factors and Behavioral Sensing in AI Applications

• Human-centered Recommender Systems

• Responsible AI

• Creativity and Generative AI