USC Daily Trojan Features ICT’s Virtual Patient Collaboration with the USC School of Social Work

The USC Daily Trojan covered ICT’s virtual patient and how it will be used to train future clinicians through a collaboration with the USC School of Social Work Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families. USC Social Work students are expected to begin using the system, which has been undergoing several rounds of testing and evaluation, in early 2012. The article explains that virtual patients are artificially intelligent, interactive agents that serve as a realistic clinical representation of a service member, veteran or military family member. The technology provides students with a chance to advance practical skills with realistic client interactions. The virtual patients can speak, express body language, show emotion and offer immediate feedback. The article also notes that ICT’s Natural Language Dialogue group is contributing to the system.