Zhenyang Luo

Papers

Total Citations

129

H-Index

About

Zhenyang Luo is a leading voice in human-machine communication (HMC), exploring how people perceive and interact with artificial intelligence. Their foundational work, "I-It, I-Thou, I-Robot: The Perceived Humanness of AI in Human-Machine Communication," has garnered over 110 citations, establishing a critical framework for understanding how humans attribute humanness to AI entities. Luo argues that as AI becomes a more capable interaction partner, studying these perceptions is essential—a perspective that has shaped contemporary HMC scholarship. Beyond theory, Luo applies these insights to practical, socially impactful domains. In "Robots Teaching Recycling," they demonstrate how robotic systems can foster ecological literacy and environmental empathy in children, addressing a critical gap in educational technology. This work highlights Luo’s commitment to leveraging AI for prosocial outcomes, bridging communication theory with tangible, real-world applications. By combining rigorous theoretical analysis with hands-on, child-centered design, Luo’s research offers a compelling model for how AI can be both understood as a social actor and deployed to teach sustainable behaviors. Their contributions continue to influence scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of communication, robotics, and education.