The theme of CHI 2002 is "Changing the World. Changing Ourselves". The CHI 2002 Co-chairs, Loren Terveen and Dennis Wixon, have been working since the summer of 2000 to create a conference that they felt would reflect the true meaning of this theme. The theme, the logo, and program format are connecting at all levels as the final plans get underway for the 20th year of CHI. We took a moment to discuss the elements of CHI that would draw a strong international audience of CHI attendees to participate and exchange ideas, and ultimately enhance the world.

Interviewer. There's no better place to start than with the theme, as I know that a lot of thought goes into its development each year. Could one of you talk about how this theme has shaped the conference?

Loren. We have been living through a transformation driven by the internet, world wide web, and wireless communications technology. And, looking back, we know that the effects of the telephone were even greater than those yet achieved by today's technologies. Recent events have increased the focus on transforming technologies even more. One of the main responses to the terrorist attacks of September 11 has been to appeal to technologies that may make us safer, including national identification cards and biometric technologies such as voice recognition. Members of the CHI community already are involved in this discussion, and the perspective we bring -- focusing on the relationship of people and technology, keeping in mind values such as privacy -- is crucial to advancing our security and freedom without accidentally undermining them

Dennis. CHI 2002 will feature two invited discussions on these issues that were relevant even before September 11, and are obviously more important today. First, "Interacting with Identification Technology: Can It Make Us More Secure?" will focus on national identification cards and biometric technologies such as face recognition, asking how these technologies can enhance our security and liberties without endangering either. Participants will also discuss ways that the HCI community can contribute to these efforts. The second invited session is titled "Strengthening Communities: Tying the Virtual to the Real". It will consider socio-technical systems that can build strong communities, and that can build trust and support collaboration that helps to resolve conflicts. It also will address negative consequences of electronic communications technologies, which extremist groups have used to foster their "communities of hate."

Interviewer. You frequently use the phrase "strengthening communities." Could you talk about how CHI 2002 will do this?

Loren. The Online interactions Co-Chairs, responsible for CHIplace, Alison Lee and Andreas Girgensohn, have done a great job of creating a site where people interested in the conference can go to find out more about what goes on at CHI ahead of time. The interesting thing is that the most popular parts of the site are where people can swap stories and post photos, so we are finding that the technology has allowed for CHI folks to strengthen their ties to each other. CHIplace is a new feature of CHI and we are giving HCI professionals an opportunity to not only converse prior to the conference, but also read papers before the conference so that we can facilitate more informed discussions, and hopefully, more innovative ideas as a result. We are using technology to strengthen the conference so that we can spark the ideas that could change our world, while at the same time strengthening the personal bonds that people gain through shared experiences.

Interviewer. I notice that you are providing some interesting programs for the design community this year. Can you talk about this element of the program?

Dennis. We felt strongly when we began this process that we wanted to appeal to a more diverse community of professionals that might be unfamiliar with the field of HCI. Since the practice of HCI touches many different professions, and over the years has become more and more integral to all types of design, we have created the practitioners special track to attract professionals from not only graphic design, web design, and software design arenas, but also industrial design and architectural design. This new event offers three areas of participation: Extended Interactionary, Interaction Design Portfolios, and Usability in Practice. The Extended Interactionary provides various interdisciplinary teams of usability engineers and designers the opportunity to work on an interaction design problem in a competitive and fun format. The Interaction Design Portfolios welcomes participation from professional interaction designers, design educators, researchers, and design students to "show and tell" new developments from the design community. The Usability in Practice focuses on how usability practices have evolved over the past decade by offering sessions that concentrate on the best practices in applied usability methods. We also have arranged for a Design Forum supported by the American Institute of Graphic Artists Experience Design Group to explore the intersections of the SIGCHI and AIGA Experience Design communities. The Forum presents a two-day program of speakers, panels, and in-depth case studies that explore design contexts such as Web sites, software applications, mobile device interfaces, pervasive computing, virtual reality, and interactive television. The Forum is the event to attend to hear the latest about design and evaluation methods and methodologies, philosophy of design, and design artifacts. It also offers opportunities to interact with fellow design practitioners of all kinds.

Interviewer. Last year CHI 2002 kicked off the conference with the luminaries of Microsoft. Can you share something about the plenary speakers that you have on tap for CHI 2002?

Loren. We are excited to have two plenary speakers who will be provocative, interesting, and fun. David Brin is the opening plenary speaker. He is trained as a scientist, and is a famous science fiction writer who has recently been writing and lecturing on technology and freedom issues. His argument focuses on the benefits that come from wide usage of video cameras, cell-phones, etc., which allow citizens to inform themselves, work together, and hold institutions accountable. David Brin will look at these issues and give us a look at how our futures will be impacted by this increasingly technology-driven world. This will be a provocative and relevant start to what is shaping up to be a very interactive and exciting CHI conference.

Dennis. I'd like to take a moment to talk about our closing plenary. I almost slipped and called him a speaker, but he is really a performance artist. STELARC takes the exploration of the relationship between man and technology to new heights. He uses prosthetics, robotics, virtual reality systems, the Internet and remote operational systems for his highly sophisticated and entertaining art performances. AT CHI 2002, he will explore alternate, intimate and involuntary interfaces with the body, demonstrating a muscle stimulation system for remote choreography of the body.

Interviewer. We've touched on the new and unique areas that will distinguish CHI this year. Can we take a moment to talk about the technical program and what attendees have to look forward to at CHI 2002?

Dennis. One of the unique things for CHI 2002 is that we will be publishing the papers online prior to the conference. This means the attendees can discuss the issues addressed in the papers ahead of the conference, and then come to the conference more prepared than ever to participate in the sessions. Our goal throughout this conference was to heighten interactivity throughout the program. Thus we have created www.CHIplace.org and are using technology to broaden the influence of the ideas that may be discussed in Minneapolis, but will ultimately impact the world.

Loren. The technical program also reflects the ongoing shift of technology and research beyond desktop computing. Quite a few presentations deal with mobile devices, tangible interfaces, augmented reality interfaces, or ubiquitous computing. CHI 2002 will focus on how the technologies will change our world and ourselves.

Dennis. I'd also like to mention that our tutorial program contains nine new tutorials along with some of our historically popular tutorials. We cover usability evaluation, organizational issues, new technology, and offer everything from an introduction to the field, to a seminar on GUI bloopers, to an in-depth presentation on information visualization and statistics.

Interviewer. Last year the conference was held in one of the technological Meccas of the world. How does Minneapolis stack up?

Loren. While Minneapolis may not be as well known as Seattle, Minneapolis is a remarkable city in its own right. It is culturally exciting. It has a lot of high tech industry and was listed in a national technology magazine last year as one of the top technology cities in America. Besides that, the CHI 2002 conference hotels are surrounded by restaurants and nightclubs. I think the CHI 2002 attendees will be intrigued by this Midwestern city, and will have no problem having fun at CHI 2002!

Interviewer. What's on deck for the 20th anniversary celebration? Can you share that with us?

Dennis. We will have a panel of HCI gurus discussing the changes in the field of HCI and in technology over the past 20 years. It's remarkable to look back, and we will have a group doing just that. More importantly, we will also be looking forward to discuss our ideas for what to expect in the year 2022. I know that plans are underway for a celebration too, but to date we do not know what is being dreamed up. No matter what, it should be fun!

Interviewer. One last question, if you don't mind. Being Co-chairs of a CHI conference is a huge commitment. Tell me how this experience has been for you?

Loren. This has been a real learning experience. We have learned a lot about people and about managing many types of people. The most exciting part of it has been watching everything come together. There is such a long planning cycle. We began this process in June of 2000 where we were essentially trainees. Now we are in a position to share what we've learned with the Co-chairs for CHI 2003.

Dennis. I echo what Loren has said, and want to say how committed and professional everyone has been. I would also like to simply remind everyone that Jesse Ventura (the Governor of Minnesota) says to "Be there!". So, we plan to see you all in Minneapolis in April!