Anthropomorphic virtual assistant to support self-care of type 2 diabetes in older people: A perspective on the role of artificial intelligence

Gergely Magyar, João Balsa, Ana Paula Cláudio, Maria Beatriz Carmo, Pedro Neves, Pedro Alves, Isa Brito Félix, Nuno Pimenta, Mara Pereira Guerreiro

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The global prevalence of diabetes is escalating. Attributable deaths and avoidable health costs related to diabetes represent a substantial burden and threaten the sustainability of contemporary healthcare systems. Information technologies are an encouraging avenue to tackle the challenge of diabetes management. Anthropomorphic virtual assistants designed as relational agents have demonstrated acceptability to older people and may promote long-term engagement. The VASelfCare project aims to develop and test a virtual assistant software prototype to facilitate the self-care of older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present position paper describes key aspects of the VASelfCare prototype and discusses the potential use of artificial intelligence. Machine learning techniques represent promising approaches to provide a more personalised user experience with the prototype, by means of behaviour adaptation of the virtual assistant to users’ preferences or emotions or to develop chatbots. The effect of these sophisticated approaches on relevant endpoints, such as users’ engagement and motivation, needs to be established in comparison to less responsive options.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVISIGRAPP 2019 - Proceedings of the 14th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications
EditorsAndreas Kerren, Christophe Hurter, Jose Braz
PublisherSciTePress
Pages323-331
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9789897583544
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event14th International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, GRAPP 2019 - Part of the 14th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, VISIGRAPP 2019 - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 25 Feb 201927 Feb 2019

Publication series

NameVISIGRAPP 2019 - Proceedings of the 14th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications
Volume1

Conference

Conference14th International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, GRAPP 2019 - Part of the 14th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, VISIGRAPP 2019
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period25/02/1927/02/19

Keywords

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Behaviour Change
  • Health Care
  • Older People
  • Relational Agents
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Virtual Humans

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