PERSUASIVE 2026

From March 10 to 13, 2026, the 21st International Conference on Persuasive Technology (PERSUASIVE 2026) brought together a global community of researchers and practitioners in the field of Digital Persuasion. The conference took place in the vibrant city of Hakodate, Japan, welcoming 127 academics, researchers, students, and industry professionals from 18 countries, including Japan, Luxembourg, Canada, and Australia.

The event was hosted at Future University Hakodate, an innovative Japanese campus known for its open design, collaborative spaces, and advanced technology-driven environment that encourages experimentation and interdisciplinary research.

PERSUASIVE 2026 was organized by an extensive international team of scholars and professionals. Professor Kaoru Sumi served as General Chair, guiding the conference and ensuring its smooth operation. Raian Ali and Roberto Legaspi led the scientific programme as Program Co-Chairs, while Khin Than Win, Chair of the Society for Persuasion and Technology Steering Committee, oversaw the broader academic direction of the conference.

Behind the scenes, a remarkably large international committee structure supported the event. Dozens of experts across organizing, program, workshop, and review committees contributed to shaping the conference, highlighting the truly collaborative nature of the Persuasive Technology community.

Reflecting on the event, General Chair Professor Kaoru Sumi shared:

“Persuasive Technology continues to grow as a field that connects behavioral science, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design. Bringing together researchers from around the world in Hakodate allowed us to exchange ideas that can shape healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical digital futures. I sincerely thank all participants for their enthusiasm, creativity, and contributions.”

Extended versions of the best papers and selected conference contributions will be invited to submit to a special issue on Persuasive Technology 2025 in the journal Behaviour and Information Technology, published by Taylor & Francis.

Programme

Across four days, participants explored the latest research in persuasive systems, digital behavior change, and ethical technology design.

The scientific programme covered a wide range of conference tracks, including persuasive systems design, behavior change support systems, interaction with persuasive interfaces and visualizations, and the role of interactive agents and generative AI in persuasion. Researchers also examined tailored and personalized persuasion, gamification strategies, evaluation methodologies, and contextual persuasion in smart environments and IoT ecosystems.

Other sessions explored persuasive technologies within digital marketing, e-commerce, and smart cities, as well as their application across domains such as health, safety, sustainability, education, and work. Ethical considerations, privacy, trust, counter-persuasion, and resilience against social media influence were also central themes of discussion.

The conference was co-located with the 8th International Conference on Activity and Behavior Computing (ABC 2026), strengthening connections between communities working on behavioral data and human-centered digital systems.

Within the academic programme, the 14th International Workshop on Behavior Change Support Systems (BCSS 2026) and a dedicated Poster Session provided further opportunities for researchers to share early-stage work and emerging ideas.

Two distinguished keynote speakers shared insights from their groundbreaking research. Professor Catherine Pelachaud from Sorbonne University delivered a keynote titled Socially Interactive Agents as Support for Behavior Change, presenting new approaches to human-agent interaction and emotional communication. Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro from Osaka University captivated attendees with his keynote Avatar and the Future Society, exploring how avatars and humanoid robotics may reshape human communication and identity.

At the closing ceremony, several research teams were recognized for their contributions.

The Best Paper Award was presented to Waraporn Chumkasian, Constantinos Petsoglou, Elena Vlahu-Gjorgievska, and Khin Than Win for their work Value Sensitive Design Approach to Enhancing Eye Donation Informed Consent. Another Best Paper Award went to Kiemute Oyibo for An Empirical Study of Perceived Intrusiveness, Frequency and Darkness of Dark Patterns.

Two teams received Best Runner-Up Paper Awards. One for Estimating the Perceived Burden of Disaster Preparedness Using Location Data: An Exploratory Study by Mizuki Miura, Zhixiong Chen, Akihiro Kobayashi, Masato Taya, and Daisuke Kamisaka. Another for HyperCare: An AI-driven, Personalized, and Adaptive Persuasive Technology for Continuous Hypertension Prevention and Management by Josteve Adekanbi, Japheth Kimeu, Gladwin Irudayaraj, Olumide Thomas Adeleke, Ibukun Okunade, Rita Orji, and Oladapo Oyebode.

The Best Late-Breaking Result (LBR) was awarded to Ran Huang, Minjeong Kim, Sabid Bin Habib Pias, Apu Kapadia, and Donald Williamson for their study Voices of Influence: Investigating the Interplay of Gender, Age, and Content Valence in the Context of Smart Voice Assistants.

Acknowledgments

Conferences run on ideas. But also on people willing to carry microphones, guide lost researchers through hallways, and solve logistical problems before anyone notices them. The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to the conference volunteers: Pakpoom Chaimook, Candy Espulgar, Shota Isokado, Ryo Kimura, Md. Abdul Momin, Iffah Nurain, Herman Remy, Haruto Sato, Shun Suzuki, Neil Romblon, Gavin Dizon, Kanta Suzuki, Ryota Kuroda, and Masaharu Makihara.

Participants also experienced the cultural charm of Hakodate through a series of social events that blended academic exchange with local exploration.

The conference opened with a welcome reception, where participants enjoyed canapés, regional drinks, and the relaxed atmosphere of early spring in northern Japan. March in Hakodate carries a crisp coastal air, and the surrounding mountains and harbor views created a memorable setting for conversations that continued long after the sessions ended.

Before the conference gala dinner, participants joined a cultural tour exploring elements of Japanese tradition. The evening concluded with a gala dinner featuring traditional cuisine, drinks, live traditional music, and a ceremonial sake barrel opening, a moment that blended celebration with centuries-old Japanese hospitality.

On the final day, participants had the opportunity to explore Hakodate further, visiting historic districts, scenic viewpoints, and the city’s famous waterfront while reflecting on the ideas and collaborations formed during the conference.

Attendees also visited one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Goryokaku Tower, where the panoramic view reveals the striking star-shaped Goryokaku Fort below. From above, the geometry of the historic site becomes almost architectural poetry, a fitting backdrop for researchers thinking about systems, patterns, and human behavior.

The organizers also acknowledge Easyconferences, which supported the event through its Online Registration System and Digital Media Services, helping ensure smooth coordination for participants traveling from across the world.

Next Location

As the conference concluded in Japan, the Persuasive Technology community looked ahead to its next gathering.

The 22nd International Conference on Persuasive Technology will take place in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Known worldwide as the final destination of the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, Santiago de Compostela offers a remarkable combination of medieval architecture, stone-paved streets, and vibrant university life. The city’s cathedral dominates a skyline of golden granite buildings, and narrow streets open unexpectedly into lively plazas filled with music, conversation, and cafés.

For conference participants, the city offers something rare: a place where centuries of history coexist with a modern academic culture and a welcoming atmosphere. It is a city made for walking, exploring, and exchanging ideas late into the evening.

A fitting setting for the next chapter of the Persuasive Technology community.