Paola Ricciardelli

Papers

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About

Paola Ricciardelli is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on the psychological and social dynamics that emerge when humans collaborate with autonomous systems. Her work investigates how anthropomorphism—the tendency to attribute human-like qualities to robots—influences human behavior, decision-making, and moral responsibility in shared tasks. In her most-cited study, "The Effect of Anthropomorphism on Diffusion of Responsibility in HRI" (2022), Ricciardelli demonstrated that when robots are designed to appear more human-like, individuals are more likely to shift responsibility for errors or ethical dilemmas onto the machine, a phenomenon with profound implications for accountability in AI deployment. This research, which has garnered early citations in the growing field of robot ethics, challenges designers to reconsider how robot appearance shapes human trust and blame. Ricciardelli’s contributions are vital for developing safer, more transparent human-robot teams, and her work is increasingly referenced in discussions on responsible AI. She continues to explore how subtle design cues can alter human perception, making her a key voice in the intersection of psychology, robotics, and ethics.