FeedQUAC: Quick Unobtrusive AI-Generated Commentary

Tao Long, Kendra Wannamaker, Jo Vermeulen, George Fitzmaurice, Justin Matejka

January 2026 · Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction

Abstract

Design thrives on feedback. However, gathering constant feedback throughout the design process can be labor-intensive and disruptive. We explore how AI can bridge this gap by providing effortless, ambient feedback. We introduce FeedQUAC, a lightweight design companion that delivers real-time, read-aloud, AI-generated commentary from diverse personas based on live screenshots of the designer’s workspace. FeedQUAC is always available, context-aware, ambient, playful, and iteration-aware. In a design probe with eight 3D CAD designers, participants highlighted convenience, playfulness, confidence boosts, and inspiration. Our findings suggest that ambient interaction is a valuable consideration for both designing and evaluating future creativity support systems.

DOI PDF

BibTeX

@inproceedings{10.1145/3765766.3765861,
  author = {Long, Tao and Wannamaker, Kendra and Vermeulen, Jo and Fitzmaurice, George and Matejka, Justin},
  title = {FeedQUAC: Quick Unobtrusive AI-Generated Commentary},
  year = {2026},
  isbn = {9798400721786},
  publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  address = {New York, NY, USA},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3765766.3765861},
  doi = {10.1145/3765766.3765861},
  abstract = {Design thrives on feedback. However, gathering constant feedback throughout the design process can be labor-intensive and disruptive. We explore how AI can bridge this gap by providing effortless, ambient feedback. We introduce FeedQUAC, a lightweight design companion that delivers real-time, read-aloud, AI-generated commentary from diverse personas based on live screenshots of the designer’s workspace. FeedQUAC is always available, context-aware, ambient, playful, and iteration-aware. In a design probe with eight 3D CAD designers, participants highlighted convenience, playfulness, confidence boosts, and inspiration. Our findings suggest that ambient interaction is a valuable consideration for both designing and evaluating future creativity support systems.},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction},
  pages = {452–455},
  numpages = {4},
  keywords = {design feedback, 3D design, creativity supports, evaluation, review, critique, CAD, persona, agents, ambient technology, AI companion},
  location = {{},
}