Maryam Ashoori

IBM Research - Thomas J. Watson Research Center

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Maryam Ashoori is a leading researcher in human-computer interaction, cognitive systems, and accessible AI, best known for her pioneering work on democratizing artificial intelligence through tangible, open-source platforms. Her most notable contribution is the creation of TJBot, an open-source, interactive paper robot introduced in 2017. TJBot was designed to lower the barrier to entry for building with cognitive services, offering a fun, hands-on way for students, makers, and developers to experiment with AI. The project provides step-by-step "recipes" that combine hardware and software, enabling users to give the robot sight, speech, and hearing using cloud-based cognitive APIs. While TJBot has garnered 7 citations, its true impact lies in its widespread adoption in educational workshops and hackathons globally, inspiring a new generation to engage with AI. Ashoori’s work emphasizes inclusivity and creativity, making complex technologies approachable. Her achievements reflect a commitment to bridging the gap between advanced AI research and practical, community-driven innovation, cementing her as a key figure in open-source cognitive computing.