Laura Maas
| Title of the PhD thesis: | “Cognitive and Social Mechanisms of Action in Human-AI Avatar Interaction: An Experimental Analysis of Attention, Load, and Memory in Digital Communication Scenarios” |
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| Degree programme/department: | Faculty of Information and Communication |
| Supervisors: | Prof. Dr Yvonne Kammerer, Prof. Dr Jürgen Seitz (Offenburg University of Applied Sciences) |
| Description: | This PhD project investigates the cognitive and social mechanisms of AI-supported avatars in digital communication situations. The focus is on attention, cognitive load, comprehension and memory, as well as their interaction with factors such as perceived social presence and proximity. The research examines various design features, such as comparisons with text-based chatbots, the impact of non-verbal signals such as eye contact and gestures, and the use of personalised avatars. By combining various methods, such as questionnaires and eye-tracking, a nuanced picture emerges of how visual design and forms of interaction shape the processing of digital communication. The aim is both to expand existing models of human–computer interaction and to derive practical recommendations for the use of avatars in education and counselling. |
| Key Words: | Human-AI Interaction, Cognition, AI-based learning |
| Publications: |
Contact
laura.maas@hs-offenburg.de