Prototyping in social VR: Anticipate the unanticipated outcomes of interactions between AI-powered solutions and users.

Abstract

Interactions of users with AI powered solutions (AIPS) have the potential to affect collective behaviours and amplify unanticipated outcomes. Product developers, organisations, and companies are increasingly being expected to take responsibility for the unanticipated outcomes of their products. In this paper we explore a proactive approach to prototyping AIPS-user interactions using Social Virtual Reality (SVR) environments that allows for the anticipation of potential outcomes. We contend that doing so would limit the detrimental effect outcomes could have on product developers' resources and reputation.