🧪 Research Focus
🤖 Machine Cognition ➡️ Human Connection ❤️
This is more than just a motto — it’s a source of inspiration
In an effort to combine my two passions of AI research and language education, I founded this lab with a dual passion: to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in English language education and to develop an innovative educational framework that mirrors human cognitive processing. My research agenda is centered on the synthesis of artificial intelligence, computational cognitive science, and applied linguistics. My work is predicated on advancing the field of AI while concurrently optimizing second language acquisition methodologies.
A Neurosymbolic Cognitive Architecture
My primary research focus is the development of a neurosymbolic cognitive architecture inspired by existing research and models which is optimized for second language instruction. This innovative paradigm integrates theoretical frameworks and concepts from:
Computational Cognitive Science
- Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) cognitive architecture
- Predictive Processing frameworks
- Bayesian models of cognition
Natural Language Processing
- Transformer-based large language models
- Zero-shot chain of thought
- Advanced prompt engineering strategies
Educational Psychology
- Cognitive Learning Theory
- Zone of Proximal Development
- Types of Learning
🧪 Research Objectives
My research is guided by the following objectives:
- To investigate the potential of AI in facilitating meaningful human-to-human communication through the medium of language learning.
- To develop and iterate on a neurosymbolic cognitive architecture capable of modeling human-like pedagogical processes in language instruction.
- To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of AI-assisted language acquisition through iterative refinement of our computational models and methodologies.
- To contribute novel algorithms and architectural paradigms to the fields of artificial intelligence and computational cognitive science.
The end goal is to engineer a computational model that emulates human cognitive processes in language acquisition and pedagogy, leveraging both symbolic and connectionist AI approaches. Indeed this is much easier said than done, and there is a long road ahead.
🧪 Current Project
Languifai.net — A Testbed for AI-Augmented Language Learning
Central to my research is Languifai, an AI-powered platform for English community-based language acquisition. This environment serves as both an application of cutting-edge NLP techniques and a data collection apparatus for longitudinal studies. Key components include:
- AI-assisted peer-to-peer linguistic interactions
- Human-AI dialogues with an NLP-driven English tutor
- Real-time language acquisition metrics and analysis
Languifai functions as my virtual laboratory, enabling the observation and quantification of AI efficacy in language education while doubling as an environment for future-oriented English language learners to hone their communication skills and knowledge of the language.
