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Exploring how Humans and Technology Interact

I study human–AI interaction and cooperation through experimental methods. Below is an overview of my work, working papers, teaching and selected projects.

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About

I am a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Zurich studying Human–AI cooperation in social dilemmas and group decision-making. My work combines behavioral experiments with sociological concepts. I teach experimental design in the age of AI and develop classroom replications using synthetic participants.

Human–AI Cooperation AI Agents Behavioural Experiments Mixed Methods

Publications

Cover or thematic image for Individualism paper

Individualism: The end of social cohesion? The effects of inequality and group identity on cooperation

Senn, S., Mutzner, N., Oberhauser, V., & Rauhut, H. (2025). Frontiers in Behavioral Economics, 4.
Cover or thematic image for Urban Drones survey paper

‘We Need Time…’: An Expert Survey on Societal Acceptance of Urban Drones

Wang, N., Mutzner, N., & Blanchet, K. (2025). Science and Public Policy, 52(3), 356–374.
Cover or thematic image for Urban Drones review paper

Societal acceptance of urban drones: A scoping literature review

Wang, N., Mutzner, N., & Blanchet, K. (2023). Technology in Society, 75, 102377.
Cover or thematic image for CHI Future Cities paper

AI beyond Deus ex Machina – Reimagining Intelligence in Future Cities with Urban Experts

Mlynar, J., Bahrami, F., Ourednik, A., Mutzner, N., Verma, H., & Alavi, H. (2022). Proceedings of CHI 2022, 1–13.
Cover or thematic image for Deep City imaginaire contribution

A topology of the imaginaire: Urban experts’ vision of AI — Deep City: Climate crisis, democracy and the digital

Ourednik, A., Mlynář, J., Bahrami, F., Mutzner, N., & Alavi, H. (2021, March). Conference contribution.

Cover or thematic image for Interactions essay

Social media platforms are failed cities

Ourednik, A., Mlynář, J., Mutzner, N., & Alavi, H. (2021). Interactions, 28(6), 62–66.

Working Papers

Illustration for Human–AI Triangle Negotiation working paper

Human–AI Triangle Negotiation

Godazgar, T., Mutzner, N., Yasseri, T. (2025).

In Preparation
Illustration for Human–AI Cooperation public goods working paper

Human–AI Cooperation: Leveraging AI Norm Reinforcement in a Public Goods Game

Mutzner, N., Yasseri, T. (2025).

In Preparation
Illustration for Scientific Misconduct case study working paper

Science Became Pure Fantasy – A Case Study on Neutralization Techniques in Scientific Misconduct

Mutzner, N., Velicu, A., Rauhut, H. (2025).

Under Review

Labs & Projects

Photo or logo for SOHAM Lab

Society of Human and Machines (SOHAM)

Joint research centre dedicated to understanding how AI and automation are reshaping society.
Photo or logo for BRIDGE Lab (DSI)

BRIDGE Lab (DSI)

Bridging the «Wisdom Gap» through research and innovation across sectors and cultures.
Photo or logo for Reimagining Artificial Intelligence project

Reimagining Artificial Intelligence

SNSF Spark Grant 2019 towards establishing a sociological conception of AI.

Teaching

Experimental Design in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (BA/MA)

Complete replication study workflow with synthetic participants.

Introduction to Social Norms and Cooperation (MA)

Core topics: social norms, cooperation dynamics, experimental methods, behavioral experiments.

Conference Talks & Participation

International Conference on Computational Social Science (IC2S2)

Human–AI Cooperation: Leveraging AI Norm Reinforcement in a Public Goods Game.

Poster

International Meeting on Experimental and Behavioral Social Sciences (IMEBESS)

Synthetic Replication Games Workshop.

ParticipationWorkshop

Machine Behavior Conference

Participation

AI+X Summit

Participation

Get in touch

I’m always happy to connect about research, collaborations, or teaching ideas. Drop me a message or find me on the platforms below.

Email: nico.mutzner@uzh.ch

Office: University of Zurich, Department of Sociology

University of Zurich Linkedin Google Scholar