17541307. CONVERSATIONAL AGENT COUNTERFACTUAL SIMULATION simplified abstract (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION)

CONVERSATIONAL AGENT COUNTERFACTUAL SIMULATION

Organization Name

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Vera Liao of White Plains NY (US)

Yunfeng Zhang of Chappaqua NY (US)

Stephanie Houde of Belmont MA (US)

CONVERSATIONAL AGENT COUNTERFACTUAL SIMULATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17541307 titled 'CONVERSATIONAL AGENT COUNTERFACTUAL SIMULATION

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a computer-implemented method for simulating counterfactual conversations. Here is a simplified explanation of the patent application:

• The method involves generating a response from a computer system based on a user input.
• The system then determines if the response is satisfactory by calculating a score.
• If the score falls below a certain threshold, indicating dissatisfaction, the system generates a counterfactual simulation of the user input.
• The counterfactual simulation is based on the intended meaning or goal of the user input.

Potential Applications

This technology could have various applications in fields such as:

• Chatbots and virtual assistants: Improving the quality of responses and generating alternative suggestions.
• Customer service: Enhancing automated customer support by simulating different scenarios.
• Language learning: Providing learners with alternative responses to improve their conversational skills.

Problems Solved

The technology addresses the following problems:

• Insufficient or unsatisfactory responses from computer systems in conversational interactions.
• Lack of alternative suggestions or simulations to improve the quality of conversations.
• Difficulty in generating counterfactual simulations based on the intended meaning or goal of user inputs.

Benefits

The use of this technology offers several benefits:

• Improved user experience by providing more satisfactory and relevant responses.
• Enhanced conversational abilities of computer systems by simulating alternative scenarios.
• Better language learning outcomes by offering learners a range of possible responses.

Original Abstract Submitted

A computer-implemented method for counterfactual conversation simulation is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes generating a system output based, at least in part, on a user input. The computer-implemented method further includes determining that a system output/user input pair is not satisfactory based, at least in part, on a system output/user input score being below a predetermined threshold. The computer-implemented method further includes generating, in response to determining the system output/user input pair is not satisfactory, a counterfactual simulation of the user input based, at least in part, on a target intent of the user input.