Kaisa VäänänenView profile
Professor
Kaisa Väänänen is a Professor at Tampere University, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Social Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence Ethics. Her research focuses on societal participation, user experience (UX) in technology design, and ethical integration of AI systems. She has contributed extensively to understanding how social robots can foster civic engagement and how AI can collaborate effectively with humans in knowledge work and smart environments. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, including studies on robot-mediated youth engagement, sustainable HCI practices, and the design of ethical AI systems. She has led projects exploring AI collaboration in manufacturing, healthcare, and education, emphasizing human-centric approaches. Väänänen has also edited major conference proceedings, such as the 30th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (IUI 2025), showcasing her leadership in academic discourse. Key research interests include: Social robotics for youth empowerment AI ethics and human-AI collaboration UX design for smart cities Tangible interfaces for explainable AI Her recent articles highlight trends in AI-driven societal participation, sustainability in technology design, and the role of large language models in transforming research and collaboration methods. She advocates for frameworks that ensure technology aligns with human values and societal needs.






