01
Human-AI
Human-AI Interaction
How people understand, trust, collaborate with, and adapt to intelligent systems.
Understanding how people interact with intelligent technologies.
HCI Master's student at the University of Trento exploring UX research, human-AI interaction, social robotics, and empirical studies of technology-mediated interaction.
- HCI
- UX Research
- Human-AI Interaction
- Social Robotics
- User Studies
- Interactive Systems
01 — Focus
Research Interests
I am interested in understanding how people perceive, use, trust, adapt to, and collaborate with interactive and intelligent technologies.
02
HRI
Social Robotics
How robots can support communication, learning, assistance, and social interaction.
03
UX Research
UX & User Research
Investigating user needs, experiences, expectations, and behaviours through qualitative and quantitative research.
04
Systems
Intelligent Interactive Systems
Designing and evaluating interactive systems that respond to human needs, context, feedback, and behaviour.
02 — Selected Work
Selected Research
Projects exploring the relationship between people, technology, and intelligent systems.
01
Completed · 2026
Supermarket Self-Checkout Experience
Exploring how technology, human assistance, and customer autonomy shape the self-checkout experience.
Observation
Focus Groups
Thematic Analysis
Prototyping
User Evaluation
02
Completed · 2026
Truthfulness as the Cornerstone of Safe AI
Analyzing Halluucinations, Sycophancy & Deceptive Alignment with pathways towards more reliable and safe AI systems.
Research Review
Hypothesis Formation
03
In-progress
Does Human-AI interaction function as Social Scaffolding or Social Displacement? A Systematic Review of Effects on Psychological Functioning.
Are AI companions forming secure or insecure attachment patterns? Do they become a "safe base" for exploration or a maladaptive alternative?
Research Review
04
MSc Thesis · In-Preparation
Beyond the Answer Engine: A Motivation-Aware AI Tutor Prototype Countering Cognitive Offloading.
Testing the The Dual-ZPD framework with additional motivational scaffolding layer to counter cognitive offloading and support learning.
Edu-tech
Conceptual framework
Prototype Development
Data Analysis
03 — Methods
Research Methods
A working toolkit spanning qualitative inquiry, quantitative measurement, and design-based evaluation.
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Design & Evaluation
04 — Open Questions
Questions I'm Exploring
-
Q.01
How should social robots support language learning without replacing human interaction?
Social Robotics -
Q.02
How does interaction with generative AI influence user trust and decision-making?
Human-AI Interaction -
Q.03
What makes an AI agent understandable, predictable, and controllable to its users?
Intelligent Systems -
Q.04
How can self-service technologies balance efficiency with human reassurance?
Service Interaction
05 — Output
Research Output
Papers, reports, and presentations produced through coursework and independent research. This section grows as work is submitted and published.
Publications
No peer-reviewed publications yet. Entries will be added here as papers are submitted, reviewed, and published — unpublished work is listed below under projects and reports.
Negash, K. (Research in-progress). Beyond the Answer Engine: A Motivation-Aware AI Tutor Prototype Countering Cognitive Offloading.
Negash, K. (Research in-progress). Does Human-AI interaction function as Social Scaffolding or Social Displacement? A Systematic Review of Effects on Psychological Functioning.
Research Projects
Negash, K. (2026). Supermarket self-checkout experience: technology, assistance, and autonomy. Course research project, MSc Human-Computer Interaction, University of Trento.
Negash, K. (2026). Truthfulness as the Cornerstone of Safe AI: Analyzing Halluucinations, Sycophancy & Deceptive Alignment with pathways towards more reliable and safe AI systems.
Conference Work
No completed Conference work yet. Entries will be added here as soon as such work is submitted.
06 — Profile
About
Who I Am
HCI Master's student at the University of Trento with a background in Information Systems and professional experience in IT systems administration and enterprise technologies.
What I Study
Research interests in HCI, UX research, human-AI interaction, social robotics, user studies, and intelligent interactive systems.
Where I Am Going
Interested in research internships, Master's thesis collaborations, research projects, publications, and future doctoral research.
07 — Background
Technical Background
My technical background helps me connect system-level understanding with human-centred research.
8 — Timeline
Education & Experience
2025 – 2027
MSc Human-Computer Interaction
University of Trento, Italy
HCI · UX Research · Human-AI Interaction · Social Robotics
2013 – 2017
BSc Information Systems
Mekelle University
Professional Experience
System Administrator
Systems administration and enterprise application support across networked environments. - Abay Bank S.C
Technical Support
Diagnosis, troubleshooting, and documentation of technical issues in organisational contexts. - Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs
11 — Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
A concise overview of my academic background, HCI studies, technical experience, and selected professional skills.
7+Years in banking & enterprise IT
6Years at Abay Bank S.C
MScHuman-Computer Interaction, Trento
C1·B1English · Italian
Career path
- MSc Human-Computer InteractionUniversity of Trento, Italy
- IT Systems AdministratorAbay Bank S.C · Addis Ababa
- Core Business Application AdministratorAbay Bank S.C
- IT EngineerINVEA (MDINA)
- B.Sc. Information SystemsMekelle Institute of Technology
The preview highlights selected information. The downloadable PDF contains the complete CV.
10 — Contact
Interested in Research or UI/UX analysis Collaboration?
I am interested in research internships, Master's thesis collaborations, and projects related to HCI, UX research, human-AI interaction, social robotics, and user studies.
Email Me