How much effort should technology actually take away from people – and when can it instead support learning and long-term well-being? This is the question that DAAD scholarship holder Houzhi Ke is exploring during her research internship at inIT.
From June to August 2026, the undergraduate Applied Psychology student at New York University is completing a research internship at inIT through the RISE Germany programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Together with Eileen Wemmer from the Human-Technology Interaction research group, led by Prof. Dr. mult. Carsten Röcker, she is working on the project “Human-AI Interaction for Eudaimonic Well-Being: Integrating Valuable Human Effort into Automation.”
What role does effort play in human-AI interaction?
The project explores how effort is understood, designed, and evaluated in technological applications. Its goal is to gain a better understanding of when meaningful human involvement can create long-term value rather than being completely replaced by automation.
To achieve this, Eileen Wemmer and Houzhi Ke systematically review research from human-computer interaction and related disciplines. They investigate the design approaches used to shape effort, the human experiences and activities associated with it, and its effects on motivation, learning, and eudaimonic well-being. Their findings are intended to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role human effort can play in the design of future technologies.
“Many digital systems are designed to minimise effort as much as possible. Our research instead explores which forms of effort can help people develop skills, stay motivated, and experience activities as meaningful. This understanding can support the development of future AI-enabled technologies that are more strongly centred on human needs,” says Eileen Wemmer.
Bridging psychology and technology
During her research stay, Houzhi Ke contributes to the systematic review of an extensive body of literature. Together with Eileen Wemmer, she further develops the coding framework, establishes consistent decision rules, and helps synthesise scientific evidence into a structured knowledge base. In doing so, she combines her background in psychology with research questions in human-technology interaction while gaining experience in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
“My research stay at inIT gives me the opportunity to combine my interests in psychology and technology within an interdisciplinary research project. I especially enjoy collaborating in an international research team and working on a topic with clear societal relevance. This experience has strengthened my aspiration to pursue future research at the intersection of psychology, learning, and interactive technologies,” says Houzhi Ke.
Experiences beyond research
Alongside her research, Houzhi Ke particularly appreciates the open and supportive atmosphere at inIT. As an international research scholarship holder, she says she felt welcome from the very beginning and greatly valued the exchange with her colleagues. She also describes life in Lemgo as an important part of her stay, adding that the town's historic character and relaxed atmosphere made her research stay both professionally and personally rewarding.
RISE Germany strengthens international research exchange
The research internship is supported through the RISE Germany programme of the DAAD. The programme connects international students with research institutions across Germany and promotes scientific exchange across countries and disciplines.
Auther: Mona Marie Brinkmann