Parsa Shafiekhani

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Parsa Shafiekhani is a leading voice in the ethical deployment of social robotics within geriatric mental healthcare. His research critically examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, assistive technology, and the psychosocial well-being of older adults, with a particular focus on long-term care environments. Shafiekhani’s most cited work, "Ethical considerations in the use of social robots for supporting mental health and wellbeing in older adults in long-term care" (2025, 13 citations), provides a foundational framework for navigating the complex moral landscape of robotic companionship. In this paper, he systematically identifies and proposes mitigations for key ethical challenges—including autonomy, privacy, and the risk of deception—that arise when robots are used to address depression, anxiety, and loneliness in vulnerable populations. By bridging empirical gaps in the literature, Shafiekhani’s scholarship offers practical guidance for developers, clinicians, and policymakers. His contributions are particularly timely as social robots become more prevalent in care settings, ensuring that technological innovation proceeds with rigorous ethical oversight. For students and researchers in human-robot interaction, bioethics, or gerontechnology, Shafiekhani’s work represents a critical step toward responsible, human-centered innovation in mental health support for aging populations.