{"ID":2920977,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-02T02:42:49.606572591Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-04T07:41:34.29888543Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.02037","arxiv_id":"2606.02037","title":"Respectful Things: Adding Social Intelligence to 'Smart' Devices","abstract":"In this paper, we propose that the idea of devices respecting their end-users may serve as a strong design goal for highly personal and intimate smart devices. We ask what respect is, how it shapes interaction, and how good-faith simulation of respect might inform user-friendly smart device design. Respect is a natural and integral part of natural human relationships that is seen to shape work and personal relations. In a basic sense, this is the core purpose of smart things: we expect them to be ready and willing to help us. In this vein, we distil the characteristics of more complex respectful behaviours into 4 main types relevant to smart devices, drawing from philosophical analyses of the conceptual dimensions of respect: directive respect, obstacle respect, recognition respect, and care respect. We discuss the implications of each of these kinds of respect for the future of smart personal devices.","short_abstract":"In this paper, we propose that the idea of devices respecting their end-users may serve as a strong design goal for highly personal and intimate smart devices. We ask what respect is, how it shapes interaction, and how good-faith simulation of respect might inform user-friendly smart device design. Respect is a natural...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.02037","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.02037v1","authors":"[\"Max Van Kleek\",\"William Seymour\",\"Reuben Binns\",\"Nigel Shadbolt\"]","published":"2026-06-01T10:26:21Z","proceeding":"cs.HC","tasks":"[\"cs.HC\"]","methods":"[]","has_code":false}