Aria Kalforian

Aria Kalforian holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the Lebanese American University and an M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Trento. In March 2026, she joined the Chair of Human–AI Interaction at TU Dortmund University as a PhD student. Before that, she was a graduate researcher at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) in Italy, where she conducted empirical studies on conversational AI and its psychological and behavioral effects, including outcomes related to anxiety in foreign language learning contexts.

Aria describes herself as a researcher of the “human side” of AI. Her research investigates how people use AI systems such as conversational agents and algorithmic platforms, especially for social and emotional support. She studies when these systems are helpful and when they create friction, for example, when people place too much trust in them, become overly reliant, or develop dependency. In her PhD, she aims to evaluate design approaches that support human agency and long-term well-being.