Graph Embeddings for Conversational Flow Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing natural language interfaces is complex, and existing tools lack the ability to effectively analyze conversational data to improve the quality of interactions, particularly in determining the likelihood of a conversation outcome and steering it towards a positive result.
Innovation Solution
A conversational analytics toolset that processes conversational data to generate summary statistics and graphical representations, using graph embeddings to identify similar past conversations and predict outcomes, allowing the natural language interface to adjust its responses to steer conversations towards more positive outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If graph embedding and machine learning are used to analyze conversational data, then the ability to predict conversation outcomes and steer interactions is improved, but the computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes conversational data during development to create training datasets and pre-trains machine learning models with historical conversation outcomes. This preliminary action stores learned patterns in the model weights, enabling fast real-time predictions without complex computations during actual conversations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations (embeddings) of complex conversational states, capturing essential features in compressed vector forms. These embeddings serve as efficient copies that preserve outcome prediction capability while reducing computational burden during inference.
2Reliability
If detailed analysis of conversational data is performed to improve interface quality, then the quality of natural language interface is improved, but the time and computational resources required for processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the most relevant features from conversational data (such as intent sequences, entity mentions, and dialogue act patterns) rather than processing entire conversation transcripts. This extraction focuses computational effort on discriminative features that most strongly predict conversation outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
Feature extraction templates and analysis patterns are pre-compiled during system development based on domain knowledge. During runtime, the system applies these pre-defined extraction rules to quickly identify relevant conversational features without performing complex analysis on the fly.
3Productivity
If the system steers conversations based on predicted outcomes, then the success rate of interactions is improved, but the complexity of controlling the natural language interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where predicted conversation outcomes are continuously monitored and used to adjust dialogue policies in real-time. When negative outcomes are predicted, the system automatically triggers alternative response strategies, creating a self-regulating control mechanism that adapts to conversation dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a dialogue policy layer as an intermediary between the natural language understanding component and the response generation component. This policy layer translates predicted outcomes into concrete steering actions (such as suggesting alternative intents or modifying response parameters) without directly modifying the core NLU or NLG systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods develop a natural language interface. Conversational data including user utterances is received for a plurality of conversations from a natural language interface. Each of the conversations is classified to determine intents for each user utterance, and for each of the conversations, a control flow diagram showing the intents and sequential flow of the conversation is generated. Each of the control flow diagrams is processed to generate a graph embedding representative of the conversation. A previous conversation that is similar to the current conversation is identified from a previous graph embedding that is nearest to a current graph embedding of a most recent utterance in a current conversation. A previous outcome of the previous conversation is used to predict an outcome of the current conversation, which, when not positive, may control response outputs of the natural language interface to steer the current conversation towards a positive result.


