Tanaka Junko

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About

Tanaka Junko is a leading voice in the critical study of human-robot interaction and the ethics of artificial intelligence in education. Her research focuses on how children perceive and form relationships with AI, challenging the prevailing narrative that technology is an unqualified educational boon. Her most-cited work, "A robot teacher 'is very good for learning, but not for human relationships': Japanese Children's Critical Perspectives Towards Ethical AI Futures" (2025, 5 citations), is a landmark qualitative study that gives voice to young learners. By directly engaging with children’s nuanced views, Tanaka reveals a profound tension: while students appreciate the pedagogical efficiency of robot teachers, they firmly reject the idea of replacing human connection with machines. This paper has become essential reading for researchers in child-computer interaction and AI ethics, demonstrating that the next generation of users are not passive consumers but critical thinkers. Tanaka’s work is pioneering in its insistence that ethical AI design must center the perspectives of its youngest stakeholders, making her a vital contributor to the future of human-centered technology.