TY - JOUR
T1 - AI as a Bridge Across Ages
T2 - Exploring The Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Inter-Generational Communication in Virtual Reality
AU - Du, Qiuxin
AU - Wei, Xiaoying
AU - Li, Jiawei
AU - Kuang, Emily
AU - Hao, Jie
AU - Weng, Dongdong
AU - Fan, Mingming
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 ACM.
PY - 2025/5/2
Y1 - 2025/5/2
N2 - Inter-generational communication plays a vital role in bridging generational gaps and fostering mutual understanding. However, it remains challenging due to differences in cultural norms, communication styles, and geographical separation. While prior studies have shown Virtual Reality (VR) as a medium that fosters a relaxed atmosphere and companionship, its capacity to address the nuanced dynamics of inter-generational dialogue, such as divergent values and relational intricacies, remains limited. To address this gap, we explored the opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support inter-generational communication in VR. We developed three technology probes (e.g., Content Generator, Communication Facilitator, and Info Assistant) in VR and employed them in a probe-based participatory design study with twelve inter-generational pairs. Our results show that AI-powered VR facilitates inter-generational communication by enhancing mutual understanding, fostering conversation fluency, and promoting active participation. We also introduce several challenges when using AI-powered VR in supporting inter-generational communication and derive design implications for future VR platforms, aiming to improve inter-generational communication.
AB - Inter-generational communication plays a vital role in bridging generational gaps and fostering mutual understanding. However, it remains challenging due to differences in cultural norms, communication styles, and geographical separation. While prior studies have shown Virtual Reality (VR) as a medium that fosters a relaxed atmosphere and companionship, its capacity to address the nuanced dynamics of inter-generational dialogue, such as divergent values and relational intricacies, remains limited. To address this gap, we explored the opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support inter-generational communication in VR. We developed three technology probes (e.g., Content Generator, Communication Facilitator, and Info Assistant) in VR and employed them in a probe-based participatory design study with twelve inter-generational pairs. Our results show that AI-powered VR facilitates inter-generational communication by enhancing mutual understanding, fostering conversation fluency, and promoting active participation. We also introduce several challenges when using AI-powered VR in supporting inter-generational communication and derive design implications for future VR platforms, aiming to improve inter-generational communication.
KW - family
KW - participatory design
KW - social interaction
KW - virtual reality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105004265903&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/3710924
DO - 10.1145/3710924
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105004265903
SN - 2573-0142
VL - 9
JO - Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
JF - Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
IS - 2
M1 - CSCW026
ER -