We use interdisciplinary and developmentally grounded methods to study youth experiences with AI. Our work includes experimental research, behavioral observation, survey development, and neuroimaging approaches such as fNIRS and fMRI. Across projects, we examine how features such as transparency, emotional style, and anthropomorphism shape young people’s understanding of and responses to AI.
We focus on one of the most urgent questions in developmental science: How do children form relationships with AI, and what does this mean for their emotional, cognitive, and social development? How do children and adolescents interpret AI socially? When does AI feel supportive? When might it contribute to confusion, overreliance, or displacement of human connection? And what can families, schools, and institutions do in response?
Publications—Read our latest peer-reviewed articles, preprints, and other scholarly work on Google Scholar.
The Brain, AI, and Child (BAIC) Center explores how artificial intelligence is shaping children’s development, relationships, and well-being. Our research aims to guide the creation of safer, responsible AI technologies for future generations.
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