Tom Hitron

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Tom Hitron investigates the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-robot interaction, with a primary focus on the ethical implications of algorithmic bias in embodied systems. His research critically examines how AI-driven robots can inadvertently perpetuate and amplify human stereotypes, particularly gender biases, when trained on unrepresentative datasets. In his most cited work, "AI bias in Human-Robot Interaction: An evaluation of the Risk in Gender Biased Robots" (2022, 18 citations), Hitron demonstrates that robots perceived as autonomous agents pose unique risks for bias transmission compared to human-mediated technologies. His follow-up study, "Implications of AI Bias in HRI" (2023, 16 citations), provides experimental evidence that interactions with biased robotic objects can measurably shift human attitudes and reinforce stereotypical thinking. These contributions have established Hitron as a leading voice in responsible AI design, highlighting the urgent need for fairness-aware algorithms in social robotics. His work is particularly influential for researchers developing ethical guidelines for autonomous systems and for engineers seeking to mitigate unintended social harms in human-robot interaction.