HBKU College of Science and Engineering highlights research on digital trends

Dr Raian Ali and Dr Dena al-Thani

Designing persuasive technologies that can influence humans to change behaviour, and the ethics of such influence, was the focus of the 16th International Conference on Persuasive Technologies (PT2021) held from April 12-14. The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) was a co-sponsor of the conference, hosted online by Bournemouth University, UK. Some 197 authors from 34 countries had submitted their work to the conference. More than 170 researchers, faculty from leading international universities, innovators and practitioners registered for the conference and enriched its diversity and multifaceted discussions. The conference programme showcased the role technologies are playing in solving societal or personal problems by influencing human behaviour and attitudes through informed persuasion. These include responses to Covid-19, and the closing keynote noted that the pandemic provides “the most compelling case for persuasive technology”, especially as health behaviour such as mask-wearing and social distancing, will help determine the trajectory of societal recovery.