ABSTRACT
“The major metaphor shift in computing will be toward programs that act like assistants rather than tools: they will show more initiative, assume responsibility for larger sub tasks, and take appropriate risks.” Research on computers as assistants means looking for new ways of dividing the labor between humans and computers. Future systems should take on more tasks than existing systems do, especially those that seem tedious or difficult for humans. An important requirement for assisting systems is the ability to adapt to users’ individual styles and tasks. Two forms of adaptation should be distinguished here: one that occurs on the user’s initiative, and the other initiated by the system itself. System adaptivity is especially desirable in the offering of help when the user is having difficulties. Help facilities should be adjusted according to the current dialogue situation and the individual user. Supplying systems with domain knowledge is the goal of conventional expert systems.
