User modelling for adaptive computer systems: a survey of recent developments

User modelling is becoming an important sub-area of Artificial Intelligence with both theoretical and practical consequences. The theoretical foundations of user modelling are to be found in key areas of AI, such as knowledge representation and plan recognition, while its practical applications impinge on the construction of intelligent user interfaces and adaptive systems. This paper provides a survey of current work in user modelling. The paper begins by distinguishing between AI approaches, which are the subject of this survey, and those of HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) and then considers the major issues in user modelling such as: types of user modelling system, the sorts of information modelled, how the information is acquired, represented and used. The paper concludes by examining some of the more problematic aspects of user modelling as well as indicating areas for future research.