Rezwana & Ford 2025

Full Title: Human-Centered AI Communication in Co-Creativity: An Initial Framework and Insights

Authors: Jeba Rezwana (Towson University), Corey Ford (University of the Arts London)

Venue: Creativity and Cognition (C&C ‘25), June 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3698061.3726932

Summary

Introduces FAICO (Framework for AI Communication) for designing how co-creative AI systems should communicate with human collaborators. Based on systematic literature review of 107 HCI papers, validated through focus groups with AI/HCI/design practitioners.

Key distinction: AI communication is separate from AI contribution. Communication is the meta-layer, feedback, explanation, suggestion, not the creative output itself.

Core Contribution

FAICO identifies five dimensions of AI communication:

  • Modalities (text, speech, visual, haptic, embodied)
  • Response Mode (proactive vs reactive)
  • Timing (synchronous vs asynchronous)
  • Types (explanation, suggestion, feedback)
  • Tone (politeness, warmth, friendliness, cultural alignment)

Each dimension influences user experience: trust, collaboration feelings, confidence, enjoyment.

Key Findings from Focus Groups

  • Users prefer feedback loops over linear prompt-response patterns
  • Context matters, divergent AI communication early, convergent later
  • Users want flexible control over how AI communicates
  • Partner-like communication fosters emotional connection
  • Sensory overload is a risk, clarity over completeness

Atoms Extracted

Molecules Derived