Abstract

An important part of human joint action lies on the establishment of joint commitments (Bratman, 2007; Gilbert, 1996). However, commitments can only serve their function if they are credible. In the case of humans, such credibility depends on important psychological mechanisms that motivate us to honor our commitments including pro-social dispositions, social emotions or reputation management. However, such motivations are absent during Human-robot interactions. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, we introduce the human-robot credibility problem and show how it can undermine the interaction between human and robots. In particular, we argue that the problem is especially challenging when considering how commitments are maintained and repaired during joint action. Second, we review some recent literature in psychology and philosophy of mind in order to draw different strategies that can be used in social robotics for overcoming the problem and compensate the absence of pro-social motivation in Human-Robot Interaction.

Reference

Victor Fernandez Castro (Institut Jean Nicod), “The Credibility Problem in Human-Robot Interaction”, IAST Lunch Seminar, Toulouse: IAST, May 28, 2019, 12:45–13:45, room MS 001.