Ian Goldberg

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ian Goldberg is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics and cybersecurity, whose work reveals how the persuasive and deceptive capabilities of social robots can be weaponized. His landmark 2018 paper, "Robot Social Engineering" (18 citations), fundamentally reframed the threat landscape by demonstrating that robots—like humans—can exploit interpersonal skills such as commanding obedience, lying, and manipulation to breach security. This contribution bridges two previously siloed fields, showing that the very traits making robots effective companions also render them potent tools for social engineering attacks. Goldberg’s research has profound implications for designing ethical AI and secure human-robot interaction, urging developers to anticipate and mitigate these risks. While his citation count reflects a growing, specialized audience, his work has sparked critical conversations in both security and robotics communities. By exposing how machines can mimic human social engineering tactics, Goldberg has laid the groundwork for a new subfield—one that demands vigilance as autonomous agents become more integrated into daily life. His insights are essential for anyone building or deploying socially intelligent systems.