This book investigates the state-of-the-art in natural multimodal dialogue systems. It presents research from the 2002 International Workshop on Natural, Intelligent and Effective Interaction in Multimodal Dialogue Systems, focusing on advancements in combining different communication modalities for more effective human-computer interaction. The papers explore theoretical frameworks, practical implementations, and future directions in areas such as speech recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning as applied to dialogue systems.

The collection of papers from the 2002 workshop offers a snapshot of the research landscape in multimodal dialogue systems at the time. The focus on integrating various communication channels suggests a forward-looking approach to human-computer interaction, aiming for more natural and intuitive exchanges. The inclusion of diverse research topics indicates a broad scope within the field, covering both theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. This volume likely serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners interested in the evolution of intelligent dialogue technologies.