Laura Miraglia

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About

Laura Miraglia is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of developmental psychology, artificial intelligence, and human-robot interaction. Her work primarily investigates how virtual agents and social robots influence human decision-making, cognitive development, and social behavior across the lifespan—from adolescence to aging populations. Miraglia’s major contributions include demonstrating the “twofold nature of nudging” in virtual environments, where AI agents can both amplify and mitigate risk-taking behavior in adolescents, a finding with profound implications for designing ethical digital spaces. She has also advanced assistive robotics for cognitive stimulation, showing that robots like “Tom and Pepper” can improve memory, attention, and Theory of Mind in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Her theoretical work on shared knowledge in human-robot interaction, grounded in the Theory of Natural Pedagogy, clarifies how robots can transmit culturally relevant information through emotional cues. With her most-cited papers accumulating over 20 citations in just two years, Miraglia’s research is rapidly shaping how we understand the psychological impact of AI companions. Her preliminary studies on robotic interventions for dementia care represent a notable achievement, offering scalable, early-intervention tools for a global health challenge.