Strengthening trust through technical insight

The RC Trust welcomes Iheb Dridi as a new technical research assistant in the team of Nils Köbis, Professor for Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Since January 2026, Iheb Dridi has been supporting the research group during his Master’s studies in Computer Engineering, with a focus on Cognitive Systems and Scientific Visualization. His work lies at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and communication-an area that is becoming increasingly important as algorithmic systems shape decision-making processes in society, administration, and everyday life.

At RC Trust, research does not stop at technical performance alone. A key question is how people perceive, understand, and ultimately trust automated systems. This is where Dridi’s role becomes particularly relevant. By supporting the technical side of ongoing projects, he contributes to making complex algorithmic processes more transparent and accessible-both for researchers and for non-expert audiences.

“I’m glad to be part of RC Trust,” says Dridi. “The Center offers a unique environment where technical research and societal questions are closely connected. That’s exactly the space where I want to grow during my studies.”

For students, his path illustrates how early involvement in interdisciplinary research can open doors to cutting-edge topics. For the scientific community, his work strengthens the technical foundation needed to study human–machine interaction rigorously. And beyond academia, such contributions help build a more informed discussion about trustworthy AI systems-an issue of growing relevance for policy, industry, and the public alike.

Iheb Dridi will be part of the team until the end of 2026, working primarily remotely. His affiliation reflects RC Trust’s commitment to fostering young talent and integrating technical expertise into research that addresses real-world challenges.

With his background and motivation, Dridi adds another important perspective to the work of RC Trust-helping to bridge the gap between complex algorithms and the people who interact with them every day.