Overview
It’s clear that AI is becoming a bigger part of our working lives, so how can we use it to genuinely help people build healthy habits and stay motivated?
Using AI to build better lives
AI is fast becoming a fixture of daily life. The tech is reshaping the way we communicate, learn and plan our lives, so how can we better use it to help us? Zhanna Sarsenbayeva's research explores how human‑centred AI can support healthier choices and sustained behaviour change. Her work shows that when AI systems adapt their personality, tone, and responses to different situations, they can motivate people more effectively, build trust after mistakes, and better support long‑term wellbeing.
Her work looks at how adjusting an AI agent's personality in real time changes how well it serves different needs, how a voice assistant's response to its own mistakes shapes trust, and what it takes to design an AI health coach that can genuinely motivate behaviour change. Human-computer interaction, built around the human.
Bio
Zhanna Sarsenbayeva is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Computer Science, where her research sits across accessibility, ubiquitous computing, and human-computer interaction. She holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Science from the University of Oulu in Finland, and a Bachelor of Science from University College London, and was previously a Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Melbourne. Her work asks what it would actually look like to design technology around people rather than the other way around.
Event
Thursday 7 May, 8:00 – 8:45 PM @Rose of Australia, 1 Swanson St, Erskineville NSW 2043
The other talk at this location is Reading, writing and redemption at 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Good to Know
Seating:
This event is designed for a mix of both seated and standing audiences. Seating is non-allocated, please arrive early if required.
Accessibility:
The Rose of Australia has an accessible entry and restrooms. The event is located upstairs on level 1 in Howards Bar and can be accessed by stairs or lift, with wheelchair access available from their George St entrance.
