About

Finding my voice in Conversational AI

I find conversations between humans and machines to be one of the most fascinating phenomena in the world. It's intriguing to consider that as complex multicellular organisms with the ability of metacognition, we can converse with an elaborate network of circuits. Using these conversations, we are able to perform complex tasks—and even build social connections. My research lies in understanding the mental models of humans during these interactions, and how we can design machines that are able to support these complex mental models.

Moreover, conversations are the simplest modality available to us. It unlocks a whole range of use-cases for a wide variety of people (especially older adults and people with disabilities). Designing conversational AI to support people in living better life motivates me. I have designed and built conversational AI tools that act as teachers, exercise coaches, research assistants, and even storytellers. Through my work, I hope to continue exploring the potential of conversational AI to positively impact people's lives, and contribute to the development of more inclusive and accessible technology.

I have been fortunate to have my work published in some of the prestigious and selective HCI venues such as CHI, TOCHI, ASIS&T, CUI, and CSCW. I am constantly exploring new ideas and concepts in the field, and collaborating with fellow researchers and industry professionals to advance the state of the art in human-machine interaction. I am excited to see where this field will take us in the future, and I look forward to being a part of it.

Select Publications

For a complete list of all my publications, please visit my Google Scholar

• Designing Metaphor-Fluid Voice User Interfaces (PhD Dissertation)

• Examining Humanness as a Metaphor to Design Voice User Interfaces (CUI’24)

• Metaphors in Voice User Interfaces: A Slippery Fish (TOCHI)

• Like My Aunt Dorothy: Effects of Conversational Styles on Perceptions, Acceptance and Metaphorical Descriptions of Voice Assistants during Later Adulthood (CSCW’24)

• OK Google, Let's Learn: Using Voice User Interfaces for Informal Self-Regulated Learning of Health Topics among Younger and Older Adults (CHI’23)

• Using ChatGPT in HCI Research—A Trioethnography (CUI’23)

• “A Painless Way to Learn:” Designing an Interactive Storytelling Voice User Interface to Engage Older Adults in Informal Health Information Learning (CUI’23)

Some reflections on AI & Tech

• Exploring Realistic Use and Metaphors for Understanding ChatGPT

• Voice Interfaces and the Absurd

• Frankenstein’s AI

• How to assess “good usability”?

• Embracing Zero

Personal Essays

• The Unexpected Gift of Failing IIT-JEE

In Popular Media

• Dark Patterned Voices Manipulate Users (Communications of the ACM)

Books I revisit and recommend