Dialogue-based human-computer interfaces and active language understanding

Recent developments in speech, network and embedded-computer technologies indicate that human-computer interfaces that use speech as one or the main mode of interaction will become increasingly prevalent. Such interfaces must move beyond simple voice commands to support a dialogue-based interface if they are to provide for common requirements such as description resolution, perceptual anchoring, and deixis. To support human-computer dialogue effectively, architectures must support active language understanding; that is, they must support the close integration of dialogue planning and execution with general task planning and execution.