Reshaping and Recentering Robot and AI Design Processes by Dr. Anastasia Kouvaras Ostrowski

Abstract:

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies offer opportunities to evolve how we design, work, and engage with society. With such great promise, we need to consider how technology design processes impact people's interactions with robots and AI. This talk describes co-design, engineering design research, and human-centered design methodologies that reshape traditional robot and AI technology design processes. The work highlighted demonstrates how to engage in design of robot and AI technologies by (1) empowering users through design methodologies for human-AI interaction; (2) examining how technology design research can support policy design; and (3) mapping the future of human-robot interaction design.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Anastasia Kouvaras Ostrowski is an Assistant Professor in the School of Applied and Creative Computing with a courtesy appointment in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Her work supports design and implementation processes in human-computer and human-robot interaction. She emphasizes co-design and participatory design approaches, particularly focusing on designing and implementing robots and AI in industrial, manufacturing, and home contexts, among others. She also focuses on designing policies around new technologies in these ecosystems. Previously, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing’s Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and in the MIT Media Lab’s Personal Robots Group. Anastasia received her PhD in media arts and sciences from MIT, focused on equitable technology design, and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan, focused on engineering design processes and idea generation.

All are welcome to attend. Please register using the link below, virtual attendees will receive a secure Zoom link via email before the event.