Rob Kaufman, PhD
Cognitive Scientist | Human-AI Interaction Researcher
I use a wide range of research and design methods to build more trustworthy, usable, and beneficial interactions with AI and AI-based systems. I completed my PhD in Cognitive Science at University of California - San Diego in 2025.
With the Design Lab and Cognitive Media Lab, I study:
Human-AI trust and collaboration in Healthcare, with Autonomous Vehicles, and on Social Media
Personalization and context-aware communication using mixed-method experiments and machine learning
As of Summer 2025, I am working on contract as a Senior UX Researcher for the Technology and Society team at Google Research, working on cutting-edge and ethical AI.
In Summer 2023, I worked as a Research Scientist Intern (PhD) with the Human Interactive Driving and Human-Centered AI teams at Toyota Research Institute.
In Summer 2022, I worked as a UX Research Intern (PhD) at Amazon conducting early-stage research with the AWS Industry Products team, Healthcare & Life Sciences division.
Prior to my PhD, I managed a Psychiatric Neuroscience research lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I also worked on design teams building technology for people with cognitive disabilities.
