This talk explores how biosignals such as brainwaves, cardiac and skin sweat responses are utilized within XR environments to create immersive, empathic experiences. I will discuss the importance of these signals and share insights from my PhD and ongoing research, demonstrating how physiological data enhances interaction, emotion recognition, and cognitive load management. Additionally, I will highlight how this work advances research applications in areas such as cognitive rehabilitation and mental health support.

Bio

I'm Kunal Gupta, a research fellow at the Empathic Computing Lab at the University of Auckland. My work bridges the gap between Human-AI Interaction and emotion recognition technology, focusing on mental well-being and cognitive rehabilitation. In my PhD research, I used physiological computing - such as brainwaves, skin conductance, and heart rate variability - to create adaptive virtual environments that respond to users' emotional and cognitive states in real time.

Currently, I'm leading projects on empathic digital agents for mental health and empathic characters for cognitive rehabilitation in VR, where AI-driven interventions are designed to support recovery and enhance emotional well-being. By combining insights from AI-driven mental health interventions and immersive virtual environments, my research advances the development of personalized, context-aware virtual agents and characters.

With over 5 years of industry experience, including roles at Google and Ducere Technologies, I bring a unique blend of academic research and practical expertise. My goal is to create AI-enhanced systems that solve real-world problems and promote emotional resilience and cognitive growth.

Alongside my research, I co-supervise PhD students and advise undergraduate researchers. My teaching and mentorship experience reflects my commitment to nurturing future leaders in this growing field.

Zoom Link: https://vuw.zoom.us/my/co140