CAGLAR YILDIRIM

Human-AI Interaction | Extended Reality | caglary@mit.edu

I am a computer science researcher and professor specializing in human-AI interaction, data science, and mixed reality with a deep passion for designing, developing, and evaluating intelligent, user-centered systems. My work sits at the intersection of AI, data science, and immersive technologies (XR), where I explore how AI can enhance human experiences.


In my research, I focus on building AI-integrated systems that adapt to human needs—whether in virtual reality or in more traditional interactive applications. My research has contributed to enhancing usability, accessibility, and decision-making in AI-driven systems, ensuring that technology serves people in meaningful ways.


I have extensive experience leading interdisciplinary teams and mentoring software developers and HCI researchers, driving innovation in human-AI collaboration, leveraging data-driven insights, and creating impactful solutions for the future of AI-enhanced experiences and usable XR experiences. Currently, I’m particularly interested in responsible AI innovation and alignment, and my projects examine fairness in large multimodal models, with a special emphasis on disability bias.


Publications

My research contributions span human-computer interaction (HCI), AI-driven user experiences, immersive technologies (XR), and accessibility, with publications in leading conferences and journals. My work has been featured in venues such as ACM CHI, ACM UIST, IEEE AIVR, Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, and Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.


For a full list of my publications, please visit my Google Scholar page

Teaching

I have extensive experience teaching and mentoring software developers and HCI researchers across AI, data science, human-computer interaction, and UX research. My courses have equipped students with the technical, analytical, and methodological skills needed to develop intelligent, user-centered systems.


At Northeastern University, I have designed and taught courses on human-AI collaboration, HCI, data science, mixed reality, and game programming, preparing students to apply machine learning, data analysis, and AI-driven interaction design in real-world applications. My HCI and UX research courses focus on empirical methods, experimental design, and usability evaluation, ensuring students develop rigorous, data-driven approaches to understanding human-AI interactions.


Previously, at SUNY Oswego and Iowa State University, I developed and taught courses on virtual reality, human factors , advanced quantitative methods, and UX research methods, mentoring students in applying scientific research techniques, and statistical analysis.

Nomophobia

I am humbled by the scholarly interest in using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) in research studies. Please feel free to use the NMP-Q in your research studies without seeking permission. You can access the relevant articles under Publications. You can also download the questionnaire, along with the scoring guide, below.


  • NMP-Q English Version
  • NMP-Q Turkish Version
  • NMP-Q Italian Version

Press

* Not an exhaustive list

KSL TV

What parents don't know about social media use, as explained by teens (VIEW)
March 2018

CNN

Smartphone addiction could be changing your brain (VIEW)
December 2017

Washington Post

Want to charge your phone at the bar? You may have to pay, one way or another. (VIEW)
March 2016

Science Daily

Can't put your phone down? Are You a Nomophobe? (VIEW)
August 2015

Fox News

Are you ‘addicted’ to your smartphone? (VIEW)
June 2015

Today Show

Smartphone separation anxiety: How bad is your nomophobia? (VIEW)
May 2015

Washington Post

Why you shouldn’t confuse ‘nomophobia’ with an actual addiction to smartphones (VIEW)
May 2015

Huffington Post

This Scientific Test Will Tell You How Addicted You Are To Your Smartphone (VIEW)
May 2015