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About

Maria Barbul is an emerging researcher whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, consumer behavior, and human-robot interaction. Her scholarship investigates how individuals perceive, trust, and form relationships with AI-powered technologies, ranging from personal voice assistants to service robots deployed in commercial settings. Barbul's most recognized contributions include a conceptual comparative analysis of personal AI assistants and external service robots, alongside research examining how consumer attachment influences the acceptance of AI in service industries — both garnering six citations since publication. Her 2021 study on data protection as a predictor for AI device acquisition highlights her attention to privacy concerns as a critical factor shaping consumer adoption decisions. More recently, Barbul has extended her inquiry to generational differences in attitudes toward humanoid robots, reflecting her broader interest in understanding diverse demographic responses to technological change. Across her body of work, she consistently emphasizes the psychological and social dimensions of human-AI relationships, contributing valuable frameworks for businesses and policymakers navigating the integration of intelligent technologies into everyday life. Her growing citation record signals increasing recognition within the AI and consumer research communities.