Researchers at the University of Central Florida have contributed to the development of human‑machine communication, a field that examines how people perceive and interact with technologies such as artificial intelligence assistants, social robots and virtual companions as communicators rather than merely tools. This summer the International Communication Association elevated human‑machine communication from an interest group to an official Division, marking its recognition as an established area of communication research.
Faculty members Jihyun Kim and Patric Spence have played key roles in shaping the discipline. Kim, a professor in the College of Sciences, completed a four‑year term leading the ICA Human‑Machine Communication Interest Group and observed a rapid increase in research activity and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work focuses on how AI can augment existing human relationships and improve communication outcomes. Spence helped organize the first post‑conference gathering for the field in 2016 and later assisted in launching a dedicated Human‑Machine Communication journal in 2020, which is hosted on a university domain.
Press release issued by UCF Today:
https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-faculty-help-shape-the-future-of-human-machine-communication-as-emerging-field-earns-international-recognition/
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