Should Technology Be More Fun(ny)? Leveraging Humor to Improve User Acceptance and Enjoyment of Social Robots and Virtual Agents

Humor plays a pivotal role in social interactions and is linked to various health benefits. Therefore, there is a vast potential for harnessing its advantages in diverse applications. Recent research has delved into how humor can enrich technology’s social appeal and user experience by enhancing its allure and interactivity. In this chapter, the author conducts a narrative review of the literature regarding the use of humor in interactions with social robots and virtual agents, assimilating understandings from psychological humor theories. Additionally, the author deliberates on the main challenges and opportunities in this research field and suggests future directions for inquiry, necessitating interdisciplinary collaboration between linguistics, psychology, computer science, and engineering.