As has been pointed out throughout this website, the use of animated agents in computer-based training program and educational software can enhance the appeal and attraction that program will have, but only if used correctly. Misusing animated agents, i.e., incorporating them just because "they are cute", will not necessarily render a program more effective. On the contrary, the addition of the agent can produce frustration and rejection on the part of the user.

Some points to consider when designing and developing an agent-based computer application:

•   choose the right agent physical appearance: different shapes and physical attributes work differently for different target audiences. The appearance of the agent has to be domain appropriate as well as age appropriate.
  
  
•   determine the right agent role for that application: from the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side", there is a whole range of roles the agent can perform. The right role for the right situation will enhance the chances of having a better response from the users.
  
  
•    consider the effect on the user: will the agent try to influence the cognitive domain, by helping users learn better, or will it try to make users feel comfortable and "at home" while interacting with the program? The right agent interventions have to be programed in one case or the other.

With voices for and against the use of agents, and with users divided between "haters" and "lovers" of this technology, the words of Dehn and Van Mulken seem more than appropriate. After their review of research results, they concluded that there is a type of agent, that works well with a type of audience, performing a type of tasks, that produce a type of positive results. Or, in other words, animated agents have a future, only if the right agent is used with the right audience, engaged in the right kind of tasks, that will produce the right kind of results.

Making the right choices at the different design and development stages, based on sound human-computer interaction and design principles, is at the heart of a successful implementation of animated agents technologies.