HCI International News, Number 135, January 2026
***********************
You can update your subscription details or unsubscribe from HCI International NEWS at any time.
***********************
***************************************************
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 | HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 | HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026
***************************************************
HCII 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
- Conference details
- Extended deadline for poster proposals: 26 January 2026
- Student Volunteers' program is open for applications
- Courses' program
- Workshops' program
- Yoshua Bengio will be the recipient of the 2026 HCI Medal for Societal Impact and the Keynote Speaker
- Supporting participants from Least Developed Countries
- Exhibition
- Accommodation
- About Montréal, a striking union of European charm and North American attitude
- World Usability Initiative 2025 Design Challenge - three awards sponsored by HCII 2026
- White Papers sponsored by the HCI International Conference
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
- Book Series on Human-Computer Interaction edited by Constantine Stephanidis and Gavriel Salvendy
- Recent News and Articles
- About HCI International NEWS
***********************
JOIN US ON TWITTER/X
Subscribe to HCII News Group at LinkedIn
Join Human-Computer Interaction and Cybersecurity LinkedIn group
***********************
HCII 2026: Conference details
HCI International 2026 will take place at the Montreal Convention Centre, Montreal, Canada, 26-31 July 2026. HCII 2026 will run as an 'on-site' Conference with the additional option for 'on-line' participation.
Mark in your calendar the following forthcoming important deadlines:
- 26 January 2026 (extended deadline): posters proposals
- 30 January 2026: camera-ready paper submission
- 20 February 2026: applications for Student Volunteers
- 13 March 2026: student designs
The Conference Proceedings will be published by Springer in a multi-volume set. Papers will appear in the LNCS and LNAI series, while poster extended abstracts will be published in the CCIS series. All volumes will be available on-line through the SpringerLink Digital Library, readily accessible by subscribing libraries, and indexed by a number of services, including: CPCI (part of Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science); Scopus; EI Engineering Index; ACM Digital Library; Google Scholar; DBLP, etc.
Awards will be presented during the Opening Plenary Session to the authors of the best paper of each of the Thematic Areas / Affiliated Conferences and of the best poster of HCII 2026. Each awarded contribution will receive a plaque, a certificate and one complimentary e-book of their choice from the six HCI book series.
The Student Design Competition gives College and University students of all grades an opportunity to present their design idea, by submitting an abstract and a video clip (up to 5-minutes). Three awards will be presented, GOLD ($1000), SILVER ($500) and BRONZE ($250).
Inspired by the World Café method, and following the success of its predecessors, the HCII 2026 Design Café will provide an opportunity for discussion, reflection and rethinking of important topics of global interest. Detailed info will become available on the conference website in the beginning of 2026.
HCII 2026: Extended deadline for poster proposals, 26 January 2026
Due to multiple requests from prospective authors, the submission deadline for poster proposals for HCII2026 has been extended to Monday, 26 January 2026.
Accordingly, the new date for the notification of review outcome is Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
Detailed information about poster proposal submission is available.
HCII 2026: Student Volunteers' program is open for applications
The HCII 2026 Program for Student Volunteers (SVs) gives College and University students from around the world the opportunity to attend ‘on-site’ and contribute to one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of computing and HCI.
HCII 2026 Student Volunteers are requested to be available 'on-site' for the entire duration of the Conference in Montreal, as well as the day prior (i.e. 25-31 July 2026). In addition to the 6-days Conference, a training session will be offered the day before the Conference (25 July 2026) to all SVs by the Conference Organizers to get to know each other, to share information and tasks, and to be trained in the use of the hybrid setup of the Conference.
Details about the variety of benefits offered to SVs, the relevant deadlines that apply, as well as details about the application process are available through the Conference website.
HCII 2026: Courses’ program
| Sunday, 26 July 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Course | Modality | Time | Room |
| C01 | Designing the Next-Level User Experience of Integrated XR-AI Worlds Radu-Daniel Vatavu |
on-line | 08:30 - 12:30 | - |
| C02 | Rethinking UX Prototyping in an AI World Everett McKay |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C03 | Socio-Technical Simulation Models for Agile design of Human-Centric Computer Supporting Tools Miquel Piera Eroles, Jordi Manzano |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C04 | UX-Lite: Questionnaire Development and Practical Applications in UX Research James Lewis |
on-line | 13:30 - 17:30 | - |
| C05 | Data Through Matter: Bio-based material systems in HCI Katia Zolotovsky, Jil Berenblum, Ganit Goldstein, Avantika Velho |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| C06 | Empirical Research Methods for Human-Computer Interaction Scott MacKenzie, Maria Francesca Roig-Maimo, Ramon Mas-Sanso |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| Monday, 27 July 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Course | Modality | Time | Room |
| C07 | Enhancing UX with Language Intelligence: Interfaces for Social Learning Systems Atul Mishra, Hirdesh Pharasi, Yogesh Gupta |
on-line | 08:30 - 12:30 | - |
| C08 | Designing with the Mind in Mind Jeff Johnson |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C09 | No Code Machine Learning and Data Analytics Dvijesh Shastri |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C10 | Bridging Art, Design, and Technology: My Lifetime Work Aaron Marcus |
on-line | 13:30 - 17:30 | - |
| C11 | Using Questionnaires and Surveys in UX Research Martin Schrepp |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| C12 | From Awareness to Action: Applying Learning Science to Human-Centered Cyber Security UX/HCI Mahnaz Moallem, Abbas Moallem |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| Tuesday, 28 July 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Course | Modality | Time | Room |
| C13 | The Inner Workings of AI: Interpretability, Alignment, and Control Wojciech Samek |
on-line | 08:30 - 12:30 | - |
| C14 | Cybersecurity awareness ... and how to make it fun Steven Furnell |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C15 | From Climate Shock to Action: Designing AI-Powered Learning Experiences for Sustainable Futures Lana Hiasat |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C16 | How to Design Empathic Characters? Tania Ribeiro, Ana Isabel Veloso, Peter Brinson |
on-site | 08:30 - 12:30 | TBA |
| C17 | Empowering with Critical Design from Global South Experiences Huatong Sun, Sean Siqueira |
on-line | 13:30 - 17:30 | - |
| C18 | How to Design a User-Friendly Dashboard Abbas Moallem |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| C19 | Enabling Responsible Computing Practices and Ethical Mindsets in Teams and Organizations Elaine Raybourn, Jay Lofstead, Jakob Luettgau |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
| C20 | Designing Technology for an Aging Population Jeff Johnson |
on-site | 13:30 - 17:30 | TBA |
HCII 2026: Workshops’ program
Workshops will run as 'hybrid' events. Workshops are ‘closed’ events, i.e. only invited participants or authors of accepted submissions for a Workshop will be admitted.
Workshop registration is complimentary for registered Conference participants; Workshop participants not registered for the Conference are required to pay a fee of $95 per Workshop.
Until now, two Workshops have been invited to run:
Workshop A: Ethical AI for Learning: Global Collaboration for Better Students
Organizers: Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Marcela Borge and Brian K Smith
Monday, 27 July 2026, 13:30 - 17:30
Workshop B: HCI Design in an AI-empowered World
Organizers: Qin Gao and Gavriel Salvendy
Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 08:30 - 12:30
HCII 2026: Yoshua Bengio will be the recipient of the 2026 HCI Medal for Societal Impact and the Keynote Speaker
The 'HCI MEDAL FOR SOCIETAL IMPACT' was established in 2022 to be awarded to distinguished HCI academics, researchers, or professionals in recognition of the impact of their work in the field of HCI to society. The idea of the medal is to inspire younger generations towards accomplishments that leave a major footprint on society and foster well-being and eudaimonia. The nomination originates from an international committee and the Medal is conferred during the Conference Opening Plenary Session.
Professor Yoshua Bengio is the recipient of the 'HCI MEDAL FOR SOCIETAL IMPACT' for 2026 and keynote speaker. Recognized worldwide as one of the leading experts in artificial intelligence, Yoshua Bengio is Full Professor of Computer Science at Université de Montreal, Co-President and Scientific Director of LawZero, as well as the Founder and Scientific Advisor of Mila and the Canada CIFAR AI Chair. He is the most cited computer scientist worldwide, and the most-cited living scientist across all fields (by total citations).
The award ceremony, followed by his Keynote speech, titled “The Current AI Trajectory Poses Catastrophic Risks — is there a safer path?”, will take place on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 18:00 Eastern Daylight Time - EDT (Montreal, Canada).
Abstract: The rapid evolution of AI development in the past few years has already impacted many social, economic, and political domains. Capabilities of frontier systems have been advancing constantly and could potentially equal or surpass human cognitive abilities within just a few years. This pace introduces significant risks, notably as scientists currently lack the knowledge to design AIs that consistently act in humanity's best interest. To mitigate these global threats, there is an urgent need for collective action, as well as investment in both governance and technical solutions in safe and trustworthy AI.
HCII 2026: Supporting participants from Least Developed Countries
In support of the Programme of Action (PoA) for the Least Developed Countries of the United Nations (UN-OHRLLS), HCII 2026 offers to academics and students of all grades, residing and working in these countries, the possibility to register for ‘on-line’ participation in the Conference with an 80% discount.
In order to take advantage of this offer, prospective participants from these counties will need to create an account for the Conference, through the CMS, enter their affiliation details, and apply for this fee discount following the provided guidelines. They are also welcome to submit their work for presentation during the Conference and publication in the proceedings, following the established peer-review process.
HCII 2026: Exhibition
HCII 2026 is expected to attract approximately 3,000 participants (‘on-site’ and ‘on-line’) from about 90 countries around the world. Exhibiting at the Conference is an ideal opportunity to display your products and services to an international audience of academics, researchers, professionals and users in the field of HCI.
In addition to the ‘on-site exhibition’, exhibitors are offered complimentary 'on-line' presence, i.e. virtual booths for the presentation of their exhibits.
Detailed information about the HCII 2026 Exhibition together with previous years’ photos of the exhibition hall and exhibitors, are available on the conference website. The HCII News Facebook page provides additional photos and information for past events.
HCII 2026: Accommodation
The Montreal Convention Centre is the Conference venue. Located in the heart of Montreal, the Convention Centre is 20 minutes from the airport and in walking distance from main attractions and restaurants.
A nearby hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal has been selected as the official HCII2026 hotel. Guests will enjoy a spa, indoor pool, fitness center, and a warm DoubleTree welcome cookie on arrival. Located in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles, DoubleTree is connected to the shops and restaurants of Complexe Desjardins, with walking underground access to the Montreal Convention Centre. Place des Arts is around the corner, and Old Montreal is a kilometer away.
A limited number of guest rooms has been reserved to be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis with discounted rates agreed for Conference participants. These room rates will be valid for the duration of the Conference, as well as for 3 additional days, before and / or after the Conference (subject to availability of rooms at the time of the reservation). Further information about accommodation is available through the Conference website.
About Montréal, a striking union of European charm and North American attitude
Montréal seduces visitors with a harmonious pairing of the historic and the new, from exquisite architecture to fine dining.
Because of its position in the St. Lawrence River, the island of Montréal was originally a diplomatic trading area for regional First Nations, and the strategic location and fertile soil made it desirable, as archaeological evidence makes clear. The French colonists were the first to arrive, followed by the English, the Scottish and the Irish. Later, myriad peoples from around the world settled the lush swaths stretching up to Mount Royal.
Today, 120 distinct ethnic communities are represented in its population of more than 3.6 million, making Montréal a veritable mosaic of cultures and traditions. The world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, it merits the moniker ‘international’ city, a cosmopolitan centre with proud roots in the past that enthusiastically embraces the future. A world leader in such industries as aeronautics, information technology and biotechnology, the city has also made significant innovations in medicine, multimedia, the arts and urban planning. Its avant-garde spirit has not gone unnoticed: in 2006, Montréal was named a UNESCO City of Design.
Day and night, Montréal summers ooze welcoming charm. Hit the streets and stroll, wander by a festival for free music and street performances, or shop from the treasure trove of unique boutiques. Within a few steps of the venue, you’ll find some of the restaurants that gave Montréal its global gastronomic reputation. And after-dinner drinks on a rooftop terrasse are a must.
Links:
- Explore Motréal's official website for tourism and travel information
- 10 Montréal “musts” for first-time visitors
- Useful tips about Montréal to help you plan your trip
World Usability Initiative 2025 Design Challenge - three awards sponsored by HCII 2026
The 2025 World Usability Initiative (WUI) Design Challenge theme was "Emerging Technologies and Human Experience". The award winners have been announced on World Usability Day:
- Gold: “AI-Driven Social Interaction: A Sustainable Bench for Building Connections in the Parks (Bonding Bench)” by: Phuong Lien (Lindsey) To
- Silver: “AR Applications for Future Flight Deck: System Usability and User Experience” by: Declan Saunders, Wen-Chin Li, James Blundell, Samuel Cohort, and Dujuan Sevillian
- Bronze: “Stopping AI Scams with AI: A Scam Detection App for User Protection” by: Christina Kim
HCI International 2026 congratulates the winners and sponsors the three awards (Gold $1,250; Silver $1,000; and Bronze $750) that will be conferred during the Opening Plenary Session in the evening of the 28th of July 2026.
The three award winners have been cordially invited, with complimentary registration, to present their work on the 29th of July 2026 in a special hybrid session of the Conference, chaired by Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Director of World Usability Initiative.
White Papers sponsored by the HCI International Conference
The below papers reflecting Grand Challenges in HCI, have been sponsored by the HCI International Conference and published as Open Access articles in the International Journal of Human Computer Interaction (IJHCI) - and they are readily available:
- Grand Challenges of Smart Technology for Older Adults
- Seven HCI Grand Challenges Revisited: Five-Year Progress
- Six Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenges
- Seven HCI Grand Challenges
Book Series on Human-Computer Interaction edited by Constantine Stephanidis and Gavriel Salvendy
The six-volume book series, comprising a total of 90 chapters from 253 authors, offers a comprehensive coverage of the HCI field, delving into a broad spectrum of theoretical and practical aspects. Readers can explore foundational elements, state-of-the-art reviews in established and emerging domains, analysis of contemporary advancements brought about by the evolution of interactive technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as the emergence of new societal needs in diverse application domains.
Books:
- Foundations and Fundamentals in Human-Computer Interaction
- Designing for Usability, Inclusion and Sustainability in Human-Computer Interaction
- User Experience Methods and Tools in Human-Computer Interaction
- Interaction Techniques and Technologies in Human-Computer Interaction
- Human-Computer Interaction in Intelligent Environments
- Human-Computer Interaction in Various Application Domains
Endorsements:
"A bountiful cornucopia of ideas from the fertile minds of leading scholars and rising stars. A milestone volume that will be valuable to newcomers, experienced professionals, scholars and business leaders."
- Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland, USA
"Constantine Stephanidis and Gavriel Salvendy’s monumental 6-volume series on Human Computer Interaction has to be required for all libraries. This massive encyclopedia of fundamental knowledge will not age, because as new technologies and methods come and go, the fundamental underlying principles (especially those of human behavior) remain unchanged."
- Don Norman, Author of “Design of Everyday Things” and “Design for a Better World”
Please view more information about these books, which can be ordered as individual volumes, or as a set, with a 20% discount using the promo code: 25EFLY4.
Recent News and Articles
- "VR Allows Elderly to Build Closer Real-Life Connections", Associated Press, December 25, 2025.
- "Christmas Tree Farms Turn to Drones, AI", euronews, December 25, 2025.
- "China Starts State-Backed Venture Funds to Support Tech Startups", Bloomberg, December 26, 2025.
- "CTE Students Increasingly Interested in AI, IT, Cybersecurity", Government Technology, December 23, 2025.
- "Holiday Toy Could Be a Listening Device", Axios, December 19, 2025.
- "China Delays Plans for Mass Production of Self-Driving Cars after Accident", The New York Times, December 23, 2025.
- "Meta Adopts Age-Check System to Meet Global Child Safety Laws", Financial Times, December 17, 2025.
- "UEFI Vulnerability in Major Motherboards Enables Early-Boot Attacks", Security Week, December 18, 2025.
- "Robot Smaller Than Grain of Salt Can 'Sense, Think, Act'", The Washington Post, December 12, 2025.
- "Disney Brings Characters to OpenAI's Sora Videos", The New York Times, December 12, 2025.
- "Study Finds AI Can Replace 11.7% of U.S. Workforce", CNBC, November 26, 2025.
- "Virtual Retina Could Help Vision Loss", BBC, November 26, 2025.
About HCI International NEWS
The HCI International NEWS is a newsletter that contains information about the HCI International Conference, book reviews, news from the field of HCI, as well as links to interesting articles and conferences. If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like to contribute, please contact the Editor, Dr. Abbas Moallem. The opinions that are expressed in this Newsletter are the sole responsibility of its authors and do not represent any institution or company.
How to contribute:
We welcome your contribution to the HCI International News. Please send us interesting news, short articles, interesting websites, etc. We will consider your comments and contributions for upcoming issues. Please send your contribution to the Editor, Dr. Abbas Moallem.
Previous Issues of HCI International NEWS are available online.
Your subscription
You can update your subscription details or unsubscribe from HCI International NEWS at any time.
=============================
HCI International 2026 Conference
URL: http://cms.hci-international.org
|
