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About

Federica Merenda is a scholar working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and law, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies reshape human care, autonomy, and governance. Her research engages deeply with the ethical dimensions of AI-driven systems, examining how these technologies can be designed and deployed responsibly within complex social and legal frameworks. Merenda's most influential work centers on care robotics and elderly care, where she has made significant contributions to the application of Value Sensitive Design as a methodology for aligning AI development with broader humanitarian goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her 2021 paper on this topic has garnered 58 citations, reflecting its considerable impact within the field. Complementing this, her exploration of robot care ethics — balancing principles of autonomy and vulnerability — has attracted 28 citations and offers a nuanced philosophical framework for understanding what "care" truly means in an era of autonomous systems. Beyond healthcare, Merenda extends her analytical lens to international law and politics, interrogating how autonomous weapon systems challenge established legal and political paradigms. Together, her body of work positions her as a thoughtful and interdisciplinary voice navigating the profound societal implications of artificial intelligence across multiple domains.