Brenda Leong

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About

Brenda Leong is a leading voice at the intersection of artificial intelligence ethics, privacy, and human-robot interaction. Her research critically examines how emerging technologies can mislead or manipulate users, with a particular focus on the deceptive design of autonomous systems. Leong’s most influential work, “Robot Eyes Wide Shut” (2019, 57 citations), pioneers the concept of “dishonest anthropomorphism”—the practice of designing robots and AIs to mimic human traits in ways that deceive consumers. In this foundational paper, she advances a new ethical and policy framework, expanding the principle of honesty to protect users from manipulative machine behaviors. Her scholarship bridges engineering, design, and regulation, offering concrete guidance for building trustworthy AI. Beyond this core contribution, Leong’s work has shaped ongoing debates about transparency in human-machine communication, influencing both academic discourse and real-world regulatory thinking. With a growing citation footprint, she is recognized as a critical thinker in responsible AI development, challenging technologists and policymakers alike to prioritize user autonomy and informed consent in an increasingly automated world.