TOHAI: Tokyo-Oulu Joint Symposium on Human-AI Interaction

October 24-25, Tokyo, Japan (+ Zoom, Online)

Organized by: IIS Lab and Crowd Computing 

Sponsored by: JSPS Bilateral Collaborations between Japan and Finland (JPJSBP 120232701), and Research Council of Finland (Mobility 354161, Strategic Research Council 358470, and Research Fellowship 353790)

Co-supported by: Tokyo College, Japan ACM SIGCHI Chapter, 6G Flagship

tohai is all about

Connecting Dots

In an era marked by rapid globalization and technological advancement, collaboration is key. A joint research symposium between two distant institutions sharing the same goals helps pool intellectual resources and offers a safe venue to present emerging and even unpublished work.

TOHAI showcasing visions, empirical case studies and ongoing work from diverse people interested in the future and interplay of humans and AI.

Tuesday, October 24 (day 1)

10:00 Opening words (Koji & Simo)

10:05: Niels van Berkel

10:30: Daniel Szabo

10:55: Break

11:05 Chi-Lan Yang

11:30: Benjamin Tag

11:55 Lunch Break (+ Discussion)

13:30 Lab Visit: IISLAB

Wednesday, October 25 (day 2)

10:00 Opening words (Simo & Koji)

10:05: Zhanna Sarsenbayeva

10:30: Zefan Sramek

10:55: Break

11:05 Alyssa Castillo Yap

11:30: Will Guzman

11:55 Lunch Break (+ Discussion)

13:30 Lab Visit: Cyber Interface Lab

Invited Speakers

TOHAI features talks from diverse viewpoints:

Niels van Berkel

Associate Professor, Aalborg University, Department of Computer Science, Human-Centered Computing Group


This talk emphasizes improving human decision-making through AI support systems while also addressing the importance of critical reflection on AI recommendations. Case studies will highlight the challenges and opportunities of integrating human-centered AI technology.

Benjamin Tag

Lecturer, Monash University, Australia


In this talk, Dr. Tag explores the intricacies of Human-AI interactions, focusing on AI's role in recognizing and influencing human emotions. The talk also considers future advancements in this field, highlighting both potential opportunities and challenges in the evolving landscape of emotion regulation through AI.

Chi-Lan Yang

Assistant professor, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo


Our interpersonal interaction is mediated by intelligent technology. In this workshop, I will share empirical findings on how we leverage intelligent technology to enhance social cues in supporting group communication and discuss future direction on AI-mediated communication.

Daniel Szabo

Research Assistant, University of Oulu


Social robots are being increasingly explored across a variety of important domains. Daniel introduces his work on trust factors of social robot applications, specifically in the context of higher education campuses. The talk will also discuss ongoing applied work on how robots can facilitate human connections on-campus. 

Will Guzman

M.A.S Student, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, University of Tokyo


AI is used to replicate every aspect of the human experience, but can AI replicate the more subtle aspects of humanity like emotions and senses? In this talk, I explore the relationship between AI and the senses, focussing specifically on the food industry and e-nose technology to frame future research and understand possible limitations of AI. 

Alyssa Castillo Yap

M.A.S. Student, Graduate School Of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University Of Tokyo


How can humans use AI as a creative medium for cultural disruption, and vice-versa? In this talk, I discuss my research about the possibilities for incorporating queer phenomenology towards enhancing humans' and AI's role in providing support for marginalized people, particularly through "queered" speculative vignettes and "queered" analyses of real-life AI R&D and applications. 

Zefan Sramek

Doctoral Researcher, University of Tokyo


Just as we use technology to act on the world, we are in turn acted on by our technology. We are interwined in networks of both humand and non-human actors that influence our behaviour and sense of agency. How can we make sense of this as technolgists, particularly as more and more "agentic" technologies emerge? This talk explores concepts of agency in relation to technology, ultimately arguing for an agency-centered approach to understanding and designing technological artifacts.

Zhanna Sarsenbayeva

Lecturer, University of Sydney


This talk delves into the significance of considering both temporal and permanent impairments in mobile technology design. Dr. Sarsenbayeva explores the evolution and progress of accessibility research over the past two decades. Additionally, future directions for accessibility within HCI and Computer Science will be discussed.


Laboratory Visits

On October 24, we will visit the Interactive Intelligent Systems laboratory.


On October 25, we will visit the Cyber Interface Lab.

Organizers:

Koji Yatani; University of Tokyo (leading the Interactive Intelligent Systems Laboratory)

Simo Hosio; University of Oulu & University of Tokyo (leading the Crowd Computing Research Group, currently a Tokyo College Professor, hosted by IISLAB)

Contact Information

Location: Meeting rooms 1A and 1B on the 3rd floor in Eng. Bldg. 2 Hongo Campus

tohai@crowdcomputing.net

Phone: +81 80-9433-8784