EaseOut: A Cross-Cultural Study of the Impact of a Conversation Agent on Leaving Video Meetings Early.

Designing ways for people to engage in social interactions during remote work has become more critical than ever, but few CSCW researchers have studied how to support people in disengaging from these interactions. This could be challenging in online video meetings, where users must interrupt while maintaining a positive self-image. We evaluate the potential of a conversation agent to support leaving video meetings early through a system called EaseOut. In an experiment with 162 Japanese and US-based participants on Zoom, an agent interrupting online discussions improved perceptions of leaving participants, but did not significantly improve ease of leaving early. We highlight potential cultural differences–US-based users felt more annoyed by the agent and found its attempts to include the leaving participant as less effective. We contribute recommendations for future tools, including shifting the burden of interruption from the user to technology and providing legitimacy to users’ reasons for leaving.