Episode 144: Robot trust in humans - Samuele Vinanzi

Robot Talk · 13 Feb 2026 · 29m · Episode 144

What this episode covers

Samuele Vinanzi, a Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sheffield Hallam University, discusses his research on 'artificial trust,' exploring how robots can evaluate whether to trust humans. He explains that this involves dynamic assessments of human reliability and commitment, utilizing cognitive skills like intention reading and theory of mind rather than static personality judgments. Vinanzi highlights applications in social collaboration, such as home care and surgical assistance, and references his book 'In Robots We Trust' to argue for proactive ethical frameworks as robots integrate into society.

Mentioned

Companies
Sheffield Hallam University, University of Michigan, Oxford University Press
Products
Hitchbot
Also
In Robots We Trust

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