Generations in Dialogue: Human-robot interactions and social robotics with Professor Marynel Vasquez - Robohub

The article discusses the fourth episode of the AAAI podcast series "Generations in Dialogue: Bridging Perspectives in AI," which features a conversation between host Ella Lan and Professor Marynel Vázquez, a computer scientist and roboticist specializing in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The episode explores Professor Vázquez’s research journey and evolving perspectives on how robots navigate social environments, particularly in multi-party settings. Key topics include the use of graph-based models to represent social interactions, challenges in recognizing and addressing errors in robot behavior, and the importance of incorporating user feedback to create adaptive, socially aware robots. The discussion also highlights potential applications of social robotics in education and the broader societal implications of human-robot interactions. Professor Vázquez’s interdisciplinary approach combines computer science, behavioral science, and design to develop perception and decision-making algorithms that enable robots to understand and respond to complex social dynamics such as spatial behavior and social influence. The podcast, hosted by Ella Lan—a Stanford student passionate about AI ethics and interdisciplinary dialogue—