Hi, I am Ananya Gupta! 

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Human-centered Computing (HCC) at Clemson University, advised by Dr. Bart Knijnenburg. My research focuses on trustworthy and safe AI, aiming to maintain users' control, and trust, increase visibility and transparency, and provide greater oversight and accountability.

My Ph.D. dissertation is a self-initiated project focused on empowering social media post authors with greater control over the translation of their posts. I propose that authors should have the ability to view translations of their posts, control the number and selection of languages into which their posts are translated, and thereby enhance transparency and trust in automated translation systems. The implication of my study is to empower users to preserve their freedom of expression on online platforms, such as social networking sites. This initiative aligns with Jaron Lanier's vision of preventing users from being reduced to mere tools that conform to the demands of automated systems. My research argues that granting post-authors an intermediate level of control over MT enhances their sense of security and allows for more authentic self-expression online, rather than compelling them to modify their communication to prevent misinterpretation caused by the inaccuracies of automated MT.

Furthermore, I argue that authors should have an intermediate level of control to edit automated translations when these fail to convey the original intended meaning or sentiment, or when errors are identified. This concept is supported by findings from my mixed-method user experience studies, which emphasize the importance of user involvement in translation processes to foster trust and accuracy. 

As a multilingual individual (English, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Urdu) with 4+ years of UX research experience, I am passionate about contributing to enhancing inclusivity, transparency, and trust in technology and services, allowing users to engage without fear of being misunderstood due to mistranslation or misinterpretation. I aim to create an inclusive online environment for users from different cultural backgrounds. I am originally from a small town, Gaur, in the Rautahat district of Nepal.