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About

Carolin Wienrich is a prominent researcher specializing in Human-AI Interaction (HAII), with a particular focus on how people perceive, conceptualize, and collaborate with artificial intelligence systems. Her work sits at the intersection of cognitive psychology, user experience, and AI design, exploring the mental models and expectations that shape human relationships with intelligent technologies. Wienrich's most influential contribution, "eXtended Artificial Intelligence" (2021, 73 citations), introduced a compelling framework for expanding the scope of Human-AI Interaction research, arguing that users' abstract and often incomplete understandings of AI significantly shape their interactions with it. This foundational work has become a key reference point for scholars navigating the complex dynamics between humans and AI systems. Beyond theoretical contributions, Wienrich employs creative empirical methodologies — including drawing studies — to uncover how employees and everyday users envision AI companions and collaborators. Her research into voice assistants' embodiment, gender dynamics in AI collaboration, and social design features of cobots demonstrates a commitment to human-centered AI development. By examining how design choices influence trust, workload, and performance, Wienrich's scholarship offers actionable insights for building AI systems that are both effective and socially attuned to the diverse needs of their users.