Abstract: A method for determining availability of a user for interaction with a digital assistant comprises: determining if the user is present in a predetermined proximity to an input/output (I/O) device; collecting, at least real-time data about the user and historical user-agent interaction data for the user when the user is present; determining, a current user availability score based on at least the collected real-time data and the historical user-agent interaction data to derive an optimal time for interaction initiation by the digital assistant; and executing a plan selected from amongst a plurality of plans, the selected plan having a user availability score best matching the current user availability score, wherein each of the plurality of plans is designed to be executed by the digital assistant via the I/O device.

Abstract: A method for interacting by a digital assistant with a user of the digital assistant, comprising: determining by the digital assistant an action to be executed by the digital assistant, wherein the action is determined based on at least a sensed current state of the user and a sensed current state of an environment near the user; selecting an engagement method from a plurality of engagement methods based on the current state of the user, the current state of an environment near the user, and the selected action; generating a customized plan for executing the selected action based on at least the selected engagement method; and executing the generated plan by employing an input/output (I/O) device on which the digital assistant is executing.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a recommendation by a digital assistant using a persuasive action are provided. The method includes determining a recommendation for a user of the digital assistant to perform a certain activity, wherein the recommendation is determined based on a current state of the user; analyzing a historical dataset related to the user to compile a persuasive action, wherein the persuasive action is customized based on at least one convincing method and based on the analysis of the historical dataset and the current state of the user; and presenting the determined recommendation by applying the persuasive action, wherein the recommendation is presented by means of an input/output (I/O) device executing the digital assistant, wherein the persuasive action is a convincing method having the highest probability to cause the user to accept the recommendation of the digital assistant.