Open-Domain Conversational Agents: Current Progress, Open Problems, and Future Directions

Understand

We present our view of what is necessary to build an engaging open-domain conversational agent: covering the qualities of such an agent, the pieces of the puzzle that have been built so far, and the gaping holes we have not filled yet.

• We present a biased view, focusing on work done by our own group, while citing related work in each area.
• In particular, we discuss in detail the properties of continual learning, providing engaging content, and being well-behaved -- and how to measure success in providing them.
• We end with a discussion of our experience and learnings, and our recommendations to the community.