  Intelligent agents have great potential as facilitators of group conversation
among older adults. However, little is known about how to design agents for
this purpose and user group, especially in terms of agent embodiment. To this
end, we conducted a mixed methods study of older adults' reactions to voice and
body in a group conversation facilitation agent. Two agent forms with the same
underlying artificial intelligence (AI) and voice system were compared: a
humanoid robot and a voice assistant. One preliminary study (total n=24) and
one experimental study comparing voice and body morphologies (n=36) were
conducted with older adults and an experienced human facilitator. Findings
revealed that the artificiality of the agent, regardless of its form, was
beneficial for the socially uncomfortable task of conversation facilitation.
Even so, talkative personality types had a poorer experience with the "bodied"
robot version. Design implications and supplementary reactions, especially to
agent voice, are also discussed.
