Francesca Ausilia Tirotto

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Francesca Ausilia Tirotto investigates the intersection of human-robot interaction, gerontechnology, and trust in artificial intelligence. Her research focuses on how older adults perceive and trust social robots designed to support ageing-in-place, a critical area as societies seek to help seniors maintain independence and avoid the social isolation and loss of autonomy associated with relocation to care facilities. In her highly cited pilot study, "Friendly But Faulty: A Pilot Study on the Perceived Trust of Older Adults in a Social Robot" (43 citations), Tirotto uncovered nuanced factors influencing seniors' willingness to rely on robotic companions, revealing that even friendly robots can be perceived as faulty, undermining trust. She expanded this work in "I am Robot, Your Health Adviser for Older Adults: Do You Trust My Advice?" (26 citations), which examined whether older adults would accept health guidance from robotic systems. Her contributions are vital for designing cybernetic support that genuinely meets the needs of aging populations, ensuring that technological solutions foster trust rather than resistance. Tirotto’s work has significant implications for the ethical deployment of robots in healthcare and social care settings.