Toward Alignment with a Virtual Human - Achieving Joint Attention

Alignment forms the basis of successful communication. It can be seen as the most efficient means for action coordination of cooperating agents, covering adaptation processes operating without an explicit exchange of information states. One critical condition of alignment consists of joint attention. We present work on equipping a virtual human with the capability of reaching joint attention with its human interlocutor. On the one hand, mechanisms to detect the human’s focus of attention are employed. On the other hand, basic cognitive as well as intentional processes underlying the phenomenon of joint attention are incorporated in our agent’s cognitive architecture. In this context, a dynamic working memory and a partner model accounting for theory of mind and intentionality are crucial constituents.