] Researchers are working on ways to add social
] intelligence to software, letting people interact with
] computers in a less static way and allowing computers to
] respond to users' emotions more effectively.

This seems to have become the conventional wisdom. Google
on "interface agents" to see that this is very strongly
represented in the agents literature. This article indicates
that it is becoming a significant feature of practice.

TechNewsWorld.Com: Real-Time Technology News from Around the World