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.