Table of contents
Research Interests
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Human–chatbot relationships
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Human–computer interaction
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Social cognition in human–AI interaction
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Psychological effects of AI and media use
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Digital well-being
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Meta-science & open science
Academic Positions
| Research and Teaching Assistant, Media Psychology & Methods Division at IKMZ, University of Zurich | 2025-present |
Education
| PhD (Dr. phil) in Media and Communication Science, University of Zurich | 2025-present |
| MA in Communication Science, University of Vienna | 2022-2024 |
| BA in Communication Science, University of Vienna | 2019-2022 |
Preprints
- Rupprechter, N., & Dienlin, T. (2025, June 27). It's her! Investigating relationship development with social AI chatbots.https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/guc4x_v1
Conference Papers
- Rupprechter, N. & Dienlin, T. (2024). It’s her! Investigating relationship development with social AI chatbots. [accepted for presentation at ICA 2025]
- Rupprechter, N. & Dienlin, T. (2025). Not Feeling It! Toward new measures for parasocial interaction with social AI chatbots. [accepted for presentation at MePsy 2025]
Talks
- Invited to present at panel “MIAO-nipulating cognition: AI offloading, expertise and relationships.” for the annual conference of the International Communication Association. [Denver, 2025]
- Invited to present at panel "Human-AI and Mediated Experiences (Position Paper)" for the 14th conference of the Media Psychology Division (DGPs). [Duisburg, 2025]
Invited Lectures
| Understanding parasocial encounters. Invited lecture for the seminar "Influencers and Digital Health" | University of Zurich | December 2025 |
Media Appearances
«ChatGPT hat unseren Sohn getötet»: Adam suchte Hilfe – und bekam Suizid-Tipps. |
Schweiz am Wochenende (27.09.2025) | |
«Das Privatsphäre Paradox» Offered insights into loneliness and the growing rise of chatbot companionship. Discussed how increasingly human-like interactions can create a sense of emotional closeness, while emphasizing that chatbots ultimately lack genuine empathy or awareness. The commentary reflects on both the potential benefits and the risks associated with relying on chatbots for emotional support. Rupprechter highlights that while chatbots may serve as useful, supportive tools, they cannot replace real human connection. |
Die Wienerin (27.11.2025) | |
| Online | «ChatGPT hat unseren Sohn getötet»: Adam suchte Hilfe – und bekam Suizid-Tipps. Commented on human-chatbot relationships, highlighting how chatbots’ humanlike interactions can create a sense of emotional closeness despite lacking real empathy or awareness. |
CHmedia |
«Das Privatsphäre Paradox» Offered insights into loneliness and the growing rise of chatbot companionship. Discussed how increasingly human-like interactions can create a sense of emotional closeness, while emphasizing that chatbots ultimately lack genuine empathy or awareness. The commentary reflects on both the potential benefits and the risks associated with relying on chatbots for emotional support. Rupprechter highlights that while chatbots may serve as useful, supportive tools, they cannot replace real human connection. |
Die Bundesländerinnen |