Computers that criticize you: Stimulus-based decision support systems

What do you expect from your assistants? Just efficiency in answering your inquiries? Or should they also raise relevant issues and offer their knowledge and experiences without request? The conversational framework for decision support (CFDS) is the basis for a new generation of decision support and executive information systems able to decide when an how to provide suggestions, advice, and criticism to their human users. This alternative approach to human-computer cooperation transforms a DSS into a decision-making arena in which users define and explore their problems under the continuous stimulus of electronic agents. Stimulus agents, in turn, act as information providers, servants, experts, or mentors, recreating a virtual teamwork environment.