Dr. Sharifa Alghowinem

Dr. Sharifa Alghowinem is a leading research scientist in the field of multimodal AI and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), with educational background that includes a PhD from the Australian National University in 2015, an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Canberra in 2010, and a BSc in Computer Applications from King Saud University in 2004. Currently stationed at MIT's Personal Robots Group, Dr. Alghowinem specializes in developing AI models to enhance human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on mood and behavior recognition using speech, gaze, and body movements to detect conditions such as engagement, depression and deception. Her groundbreaking work not only involves teaching at the University of Canberra and serving as Associate Director of postgraduate programs at Prince Sultan University but also pioneering AI-powered educational interventions for linguistically and culturally diverse users, including Arabic-speaking children. Through her profound expertise in machine learning and affective computing, Dr. Alghowinem is making significant strides in leveraging AI for social-emotional growth and language learning, embodying her commitment to using technology to address unmet educational needs and support well-being and cultural integration.