Affective Computing
đź“ś Abstract
Affective computing is computing that relates to, arises from, or influences emotions. In this paper, I propose a new research area, called affective computing, and suggest that it is time for computer scientists to gain a better understanding of human emotions, and to consider the possible role of computer systems in monitoring and influencing human emotional states. I review emotion theories from psychology, and describe key components of emotion from a computational perspective. While many challenges lie ahead, affective computing promises to enhance human-computer interaction, and to enable many exciting new applications.
✨ Summary
Affective computing, as proposed by Rosalind W. Picard in her 1995 paper, introduced a new field focusing on the relationship between computing and human emotions. The paper reviews various emotion theories and discusses potential roles for computer systems in emotion monitoring and interaction. It argues for a deeper understanding of emotions within computer science to improve human-computer interaction. This pioneering work has spurred significant research and development in fields such as emotion detection, user experience design, and human-computer interaction. Picard’s proposal has led to advancements in designing systems that better cater to human emotions, thereby influencing technologies in mental health, robotics, and interactive AI. The paper has been cited in numerous studies and influenced subsequent research, such as in the works of “Foundations of Affective Social Agents” (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/3-540-48197-7_22) and “Research on Human and Computing Emotional Interaction” (http://mae2.uni-ruse.bg/jspui/bitstream/123456789/287/1/Papers_br/08_Research%20on%20the%20Human%20and%20Computing%20Emotional%20Interaction.pdf).