Yuan (David) Gao
HCI Researcher interested in proactive AI systems, emotion-aware interaction, and AI-supported learning environments.
Research Focus
I study how artificial intelligence systems can proactively support human decision-making while preserving autonomy, trust, and emotional well-being. My work sits at the intersection of human–computer interaction and artificial intelligence, with a focus on system-level design, emotion-aware interaction, and human-centered AI.
Current Work
- Lexi-Jarvis — Proactive AI Notification System (dissertation-level research)
- Emotion Recognition in Human–Robot Interaction — Publication-backed research
- AI Book Maker — Exploratory research on generative AI, children, and social–emotional learning
Research Interests
- Proactive and agentic AI systems
- Emotion-aware human–AI interaction
- Human-centered system design
- AI, learning, and social–emotional development
Academic Context
I am currently an undergraduate researcher at the University of Washington, pursuing Informatics with a focus on human-centered AI. I have conducted research under academic supervision in both formal and exploratory settings, including dissertation-level work and publication-backed studies. I am seeking research opportunities where I can further develop system-oriented and human-centered AI research.