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Closed-loop Neuro-robotic Experiments to Test Computational Properties of Neuronal Networks
Published on: March 2, 2015
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Domain-specific and domain-general neural network engagement during human-robot interactions
Ann Hogenhuis1, Ruud Hortensius2
1Liberal Arts and Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|September 16, 2022
Summary
Neural engagement during human-robot interaction shows similarities in speaking but differences in listening. Brain activity during conversation with robots and humans reveals distinct perceptual processing, not higher-order cognitive changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Understanding neural mechanisms underlying human interaction with artificial agents is crucial.
- Previous research has explored social cognition but less is known about domain-general vs. domain-specific network engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generalization of neural network engagement across human and artificial agent interactions.
- To compare brain activity and functional connectivity during conversations with humans versus robots.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 22 participants were analyzed.
- Whole-brain, region-of-interest, and functional connectivity analyses were employed.
- Response profiles were tested across person perception, theory-of-mind, object-specific, language, and multiple-demand networks.
Main Results:
- Listening to a robot, compared to a human, increased activation in the language network (listening comprehension areas) and person perception network.
- No significant differences in theory-of-mind network activity were observed between human and robot interactions.
- Functional connectivity analyses revealed no differences in within- or between-network connectivity during human versus robot interactions.
Conclusions:
- Neural activation patterns are largely similar when speaking to humans and robots.
- Dissociations in neural activity during listening suggest differences at perceptual, but not higher-order cognitive, levels.
- Findings highlight nuanced neural processing differences in human-agent interaction.
