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About

Laura-Ann Petitto is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of developmental neuroscience, language acquisition, and human-computer interaction, with a particular focus on early language learning in deaf infants. Her most influential work addresses a pressing challenge: the fact that over 90% of deaf babies are born to hearing parents with limited sign language experience, leaving these children vulnerable to language deprivation during the critical developmental window of 6–12 months of age. Petitto's landmark research introduced innovative technological interventions — including signing robots and virtual humans — designed to deliver naturalistic, socially contingent sign language exposure to infants during this crucial period. Her 2018 study on teaching language to deaf infants using robots and virtual humans has garnered 55 citations, establishing a new frontier in assistive language technology. Subsequent work exploring multimodal dialogue management and psychophysiological responses to AI agents has further deepened understanding of how infants engage with artificial interlocutors. Across her body of work, Petitto has demonstrated that thoughtfully designed AI systems can meaningfully capture infant attention and potentially support healthy cognitive and linguistic development. Her research carries significant implications for early intervention, educational equity, and the long-term academic success of deaf children worldwide.