Xiaoyi Tian

Xiaoyi Tian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Kennesaw State University. Her research sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), artificial intelligence (AI), and learning sciences, with a focus on designing human-centered AI technologies that support equitable teaching and learning.

Her work explores how students, teachers, and families can effectively collaborate with AI through the design of trustworthy, personalized, and educational AI systems. She develops AI-powered learning companions, conversational agents, and teacher-facing tools that empower educators to customize AI for diverse learners while maintaining meaningful human oversight. Her research also investigates AI literacy, AI safety, human-AI collaboration, and the role of generative AI in K-12 education.

Dr. Tian employs participatory design, mixed-methods research, classroom-based studies, and learning analytics to understand how AI can enhance learning while remaining transparent, inclusive, and aligned with educational goals. She collaborates closely with schools, teachers, and community partners to translate research into practical educational technologies.

Before joining Kennesaw State University, Dr. Tian was a Research Scientist at North Carolina State University. She received her Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and her work has been recognized with best paper awards at leading computing education conferences, including SIGCSE and LAK.