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PHAI2026: Positive Human-AI Interaction: Fostering Psychological Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Submission linkhttps://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=phai2026

Background

In recent years, the explosive rate at which artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being introduced and adopted in personal and professional contexts has far outpaced research investigating their psychological implications for users. On the one hand, AI-enabled applications are being marketed as enhancements to human cognition and as positive contributors to productivity and efficiency. On the other hand, researchers have raised concerns against indiscriminate adoption of AI technologies, and have argued that, in order for AI to make a positive contribution to the human condition, it is crucial that AI development be aligned with human values.

One of the core challenges is to design AI-based applications to prevent harm, and foster human psychological well-being (PWB), which has two main conceptualizations. The hedonic view considers the presence of positive affect and absence of negative affect (i.e. positive user experience) as a sign of PWB; the eudaimonic view focuses on those motivations, dispositions and activities which lead to flourishing or functioning well, and whose presence can be evaluated by the extent to which one senses meaning, growth, positive relationships, excellence and autonomy in various spheres of one's life. This perspective is endorsed by theories such as Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Furthermore, researchers also argue that eudaimonic well-being also relies on an ethical core -- for to live well, we need to develop those virtues which help us choose well between a range of competing goals and desires, and guide our behavior in everyday situations.

As developments in AI increasingly allow us to integrate them in various professional and personal activities, the nature and scope of this integration could potentially transform what we value, along with our attitudes and experiences in, these activities. Consequently, this may also affect the extent to which we can attain the aforementioned constituents of PWB. Either way, whether AI-based technologies are designed, evaluated, and deployed with a view of PWB in mind will have profound cognitive and affective consequences on users.

The aim of this book volume is to gather multidisciplinary perspectives on harnessing the potential of AI to enhance PWB. We invite researchers from different disciplines (information systems, computer science, social sciences and philosophy) to contribute to the current state of research on designing and evaluating the algorithmic and interactive aspects of AI with the aim of enhancing PWB. The multiple perspectives captured in this book will be useful for designers, researchers, and practitioners. 

Submission Dates and Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. 

Chapter Proposal (Short abstract or key points to be addressed in the contribution) : on or before March 15, 2026

(We usually discuss proposals within 2–4 days after receiving them and will get back as soon as possible.)

Full Chapter (5000-7000 words) : April 30th, 2026

(Double-blind review until April 21st May, 2026)

Final Chapter: June 15th, 2026

List of Topics

Theoretical Contributions

  • Characteristics of AI that potentially impact psychological well-being
  • Theoretical viewpoints
  • Ethics of AI and well-being
  • Critical perspectives
  • Position Papers
  • Reflections on past research
  • Literature Reviews

Methodology

  • Prototyping
  • Participatory design
  • Tools for design, modeling and evaluation
  • Ethical considerations in design
  • Integrating stakeholders’ perspectives
  • Measuring cognitive and affective aspects of well-being in human-AI interaction

Concepts and Applications

  • Novel interaction concepts
  • Interaction design
  • Domain-specific applications
  • Application of AI frameworks in design and evaluation

Evaluations

  • Empirical studies (Laboratory or Field Studies)
  • Quantitative and qualitative evaluations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Case-studies
  • Implications for work and leisure

Publication

Chapters will be published in the book volume "Positive Human-AI Interaction: Fostering Psychological Well-being in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" by Springer Nature (tentative Fall 2026)

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to hitesh.dhiman@th-owl.de or eileen.wemmer@th-owl.de

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