Thomas M. Powers

Papers

Total Citations

124

H-Index

About

Thomas M. Powers is a leading scholar at the intersection of robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), and computer ethics. His research primarily focuses on trust in autonomous systems, the moral status of artificial agents, and the ethical design of technology. In his highly influential work, "Taxonomy of Trust-Relevant Failures and Mitigation Strategies" (2020, 93 citations), Powers develops a comprehensive framework categorizing HRI failure types and their impact on trust, identifying critical research gaps to guide the development of more trustworthy robots. This taxonomy has become a foundational reference for researchers studying trust repair in human-robot relationships. Earlier, in "Computers as Surrogate Agents" (2008, 31 citations), Powers tackled the profound philosophical question of whether computers and robots could be considered moral agents, exploring the implications for moral responsibility and human-machine moral relationships. His work bridges engineering, ethics, and cognitive science, offering essential insights for designing robots that are not only functional but also ethically aligned with human values. Powers’ contributions are vital for students and researchers seeking to understand the social and moral dimensions of emerging autonomous technologies.