In menstrual cycle tracking apps (MCTAs), AI-based predictions and insights have become increasingly popular. These features enable users to receive personalized information about their bodies and mental states. However, there is currently little research on how these predictive AI features and explanations affect users’ lived experiences. This paper examines human-AI entanglement in MCTAs through 14 semi-structured user interviews and a group autoethnography. These methods uncover the processes leading to this phenomenon. Our results reveal that: (1) users understand their lived experiences in light of AI predictions, although these predictions can be faulty due to imperfect logging practices, (2) the user interface features and AI explanations do not support awareness or critical engagement with this entanglement and meaning-making, and (3) non-normative MCTA users report a sense of isolation in this entangled interaction. Based on our findings, we propose design implications for predictive AI features and explanations.

The last decade has seen voice assistants like Apple's Siri and Google's Home become truly ubiquitous. These devices – and many more – rely on Voice-based User Interfaces (VUIs) that specify what the devices can listen for and how they express themselves through synthetic voice design. Today, primarily Western VUI designs often reproduce anthropomorphic and heteronormative vocal stereotypes and interaction scenarios. Instead, we propose an emergent framework for VUI design that opens for a multifaceted exploration of how VUIs sound, what this means for their sociocultural role and how it shapes interactions. The framework extends current VUI design concerns with concepts from sound studies that offer a richer foundation for exploring VUIs’ sonic expressions. We present the theoretical foundations of the framework and how it has developed over three collaborative workshops bringing together sound artists, sound researchers and interaction designers. We outline the framework in detail and point to future experiments and perspectives for expanding the VUI design space.

It is common not be fully aware of our experience of emotions, and sometimes it is hard to communicate our emotions to others. Using design strategies derived from ambiguity and performativity, we came up with the concept of Isles of Emotion, customizable abstract virtual spaces that represent emotions. Considering remote communication as one of the potential use cases, we assessed this concept as an emotional reflection and communication tool via user studies conducted with 6 pairs of closely related people who have lived apart in the near past. During the studies participants created their own emotion islands using VR tools and visited their own and their pair’s islands. We contribute to the existing literature by sharing resulting design insights on emotionally expressive social virtual spaces, commenting on the level of abstraction from and connections to the real-world, sharing and collaboration concerning the islands and their customizability.