Conversational interaction design: constructing context

Recently I wrote about interface visibility -- the presence and degree of friction in interface design and human computer interaction -- and the idea that it exists distinctly from specific interface paradigms. Since then I've been itching to revisit and dig a little deeper into the nuts and bolts of conversational interaction design, specifically the way context plays a key role in the construction of meaning in user experiences that leverage natural language (especially those of the invisible variety). The space is still super early, but in my (admittedly brief) time designing bot interactions, I've noticed a few key patterns that have shaped my own mental model for constructing seamless conversational interactions. In conversational interfaces, who initiates each new conversational interaction -- and their intent -- is key to establishing the tone and expectations of everything that follows. When the bot initiates, it's significantly easier to establish the direction and flow of conversation, thereby increasing the likelihood of producing a better, and more focused experience.