Alessandro Emmanuel Pecora

Ph.D. candidate in Ingegneria Informatica E Dei Sistemi , 40th cycle (2024-2027)
Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN)

Docente esterno e/o collaboratore didattico
Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN)

Profile

PhD

Research topic

Adaptive Embodied Agents in XR: Customizing Interactions with Neural Memory and Gamification to Enhance Educational Activities

Tutors

Research interests

Computer graphics and Multimedia
Controls and system engineering
Data science, Computer vision and AI
Software engineering and Mobile computing

Biography

I am a graduate of Politecnico di Torino, where I earned my Laurea Magistrale (MS) in Data Science and Engineering in 2022. After completing my studies, I worked as a Data Scientist consultant in a renowned enterprise for one year, where I applied advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to solve complex business problems. I then transitioned into a research fellow position for another year, further deepening my expertise in artificial intelligence and extended reality. Currently, I am embarking on a PhD to expand my research in these areas.
I am part of the Computer Graphics & Vision Group (CG&VG), working under the guidance of Prof. Andrea Bottino and Dr. Francesco Strada. My research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and extended reality (XR), with a particular emphasis on Memory-Augmented Neural Networks (MANNs) and their application in education.
My work centers on enhancing Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) by integrating MANNs to create personalized and adaptive learning experiences. I aim to enable ECAs to remember and leverage individual learner interactions, tailoring their responses to different learning styles and preferences. I also explore the integration of emotional models into ECAs to facilitate lifelike, empathetic interactions, further enhancing the user experience within XR environments.
In my research, I address challenges such as optimizing the storage capacity of MANNs, reducing computational overhead, and improving memory recall processes. To overcome these issues, I develop innovative methodologies that combine XR environments, gamification concepts, and generative AI to support data collection, model training, and instructional design. I also investigate how ECAs can dynamically facilitate collaborative learning, promoting group activities and enhancing educational outcomes in team-based settings.
My work is inherently multidisciplinary, drawing insights from fields such as AI, neuroscience, psychology, education, and game design. I am committed to ensuring that these technologies are accessible and scalable for diverse educational environments, including those with limited resources. My ultimate goal is to demonstrate the potential of MANN-enhanced, gamified ECAs to transform learning experiences in XR environments, providing adaptive, collaborative, and engaging solutions for modern education.

Teaching

Teachings

Bachelor of Science

Research

Research groups

Publications

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