UofM launches MaX Lab to advance human-centered AI research
The University of Memphis is launching the Multimodal AI eXperience Lab, or MaX Lab, at the FedEx Institute of Technology.
Led by Dr. Jeya Amantha Kumar, the lab will examine how people attend to, interpret and respond to AI and digital systems. Using an integrated iMotions research environment, MaX Lab will support eye tracking, facial expression analysis and voice based affect analysis in both laboratory and remote studies. The shared facility will serve faculty, students and external collaborators working in human centered AI, user experience, educational technology, accessibility and digital platform evaluation.
A recent pilot study reflects the type of research the lab will support. Dr. Kumar presented “The Sound of Reasoning: Acoustic Profiling of Explainable AI Feedback in ChatGPT Voice Mode” at the Applied AI Research Conference held as part of the AI4 Conference 2026, Las Vegas. Using iMotions Voice Analysis powered by audEERING, the pilot study found that explainable AI feedback was associated with changes in ChatGPT’s vocal valence, dominance and arousal, particularly especially during negative feedback.
MaX Lab will help researchers move beyond determining whether technology works to understanding how it influences attention, emotions, engagement, learning and accessibility. It will also support student training, collaborative grants and industry partnerships focused on evidence based evaluation of AI tools and digital products. Faculty interested in human centered AI, learning technologies, user experience, digital behavior or related research are invited to explore collaboration opportunities with MaX Lab. A town hall introducing the lab’s capabilities and collaboration opportunities will be announced soon. In the meantime, interested faculty members are encouraged to contact Dr. Kumar to discuss potential research collaborations.
To learn more, visit the MaX Lab website, or contact Kumar at jdvdpndy@memphis.edu.