Dylan Cooper

I’m Dylan, a research intern with the Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines group. I specialise in Human–AI Interaction, studying how AI shapes people’s perceptions and behaviour and what psychosocial implications this may have for society. From September 2025 I will pursue an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction at University College London.

Current projects include:

• A survey of the German public and psychotherapeutic practitioners on AI applications in therapy-risks, benefits and general attitudes; and
• An observer-perspective study of intimate human-AI companionship, using vignettes from real AI-user exchanges to examine perceived AI empathy, willingness to disclose, perceived closeness and emotional responses.

I’m especially interested in the societal impacts of AI. My aim is to inform AI safety and alignment not only through evidence on user experience, but also by helping to reshape incentive structures - from profit and engagement maximisation towards human-centred benefits in design, deployment and governance - working with such organisations as BlueDot Impact.

I take an interdisciplinary approach, blending psychology and Human-Computer Interaction with philosophy, economics and sociology - while making assumptions explicit, attending to evidence quality, and being careful about how questions are framed and interpreted through different epistemological lenses.

Must read books: 

• “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism - Shoshana Zuboff” 
• “Human Compatible” - Stuart Russell