2023/04/05 by Zihao Wang, Wang, Zihao, Ali Ahmadvand +7
Computer Science · #68T07 #68T50 #Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI) #Computation and Language (cs.CL) #Expert finding and Q&A systems #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Multimodal Machine Learning Applications #Topic Modeling
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2304.02233
openalex publication_date 2023/04/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Open-domain conversational search (ODCS) aims to provide valuable, up-to-date information, while maintaining natural conversations to help users refine and ultimately answer information needs. However, creating an effective and robust ODCS agent is challenging. In this paper, we present a fully functional ODCS system, Ericson, which includes state-of-the-art question answering and information retrieval components, as well as intent inference and dialogue management models for proactive question refinement and recommendations. Our system was stress-tested in the Amazon Alexa Prize, by engaging in live conversations with thousands of Alexa users, thus providing empirical basis for the analysis of the ODCS system in real settings. Our interaction data analysis revealed that accurate intent classification, encouraging user engagement, and careful proactive recommendations contribute most to the users satisfaction. Our study further identifies limitations of the existing search techniques, and can serve as a building block for the next generation of ODCS agents.