Hi! I’m Mahika Phutane, a PhD student at Cornell University.
I study how conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) can support people with disabilities.
A key aspect of this technology is its capability to engage with users through natural language speech and human-like behavior. As these technologies shift from mere tools to “smart” assistive companions, there is a concern that these technologies may perpetuate ableist behaviors, such as offering unsolicited help, or displaying ableist content.
I love devising creative methods to identify, understand, and address these emerging concerns. My research spans the fields of Human-Computer Interaction, Accessibility, and Human-Centered NLP.
News Highlights
Oct 2023: Presented Conversational Screen Reader Paper at ASSETS ‘23 in NYC!
Sep 2023: Awarded the DLI Doctoral Fellowship!
May 2023: Awarded the PiTech Fellowship to work with the NYC Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities!
Oct 2022: Presented Tactile Materials Paper at ASSETS ‘22 in Athens, Greece!
May 2021: Paper accepted at CHI Interactivity!
Jan 2021: Presented Maestro, an AI Vocal Coach, at Google Magenta
May 2020: Graduated from UToronto with a B.Sc in Computer Science and CCIT! 🎓
Feb 2020: Appeared in the Wall Street Journal for winning Dennis Washington Fellowship!