July 15, 2025
As artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to evolve, they increasingly act as human’s teammates. This is something we experience daily through voice-controlled home devices, virtual assistants like Siri, and even quick AI overviews for Google searches. Researchers like Na Du, an Assistant Professor with the Department of Informatics and Networked Systems at the School of Computing and Information (SCI), are working to make human-tech collaborations smarter and more seamless by designing technology that strengthens the gaps in team environments through situationally aware technology.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award is one of the most prestigious grants available to faculty and researchers in the early stages of their academic careers. With thousands of applicants and only around 500 recipients selected each year, Du received this award to support her research on human-autonomy teaming and situational awareness at SCI. Du reflects:
“Winning the CAREER Award is incredibly rewarding because it enables me to pursue an ambitious, long-term vision at the intersection of human factors, AI, and interface design. It reinforces the importance of focusing not just on technology performance, but on how people and machines collaborate in real-world contexts.”
Du’s research uses AI with drone technology to better understand and support team dynamics. In high-risk situations such as search and rescue missions, infrastructure inspections, and disaster responses, these environments can benefit from a technological team member that can actively support the mission by filling in human limitations of situational awareness.
The first step in this research is observing how people move and make decisions within a team while considering their specific role in the situation and overall mission. Next, by applying cognitive theory and AI models, the system will predict which areas or pieces of information are critical to the task, and which are likely to be overlooked. Finally, the research will develop intelligent interfaces that help team members understand what others on the team know, improving coordination and communication during a mission.
“Take a natural disaster, for example: search and rescue teams using drones must coordinate in real time to navigate debris, locate survivors, and avoid new hazards. By creating situationally aware technology, we can improve safety, speed up response times, and support better decision-making,” explains Du.
This award not only reflects the promising trajectory of Professor Du’s career, but also highlights how Pitt’s tech innovation landscape is grounded in real-world impact. Her work helps those in high-risk situations feel safer and more confident through technology that extends beyond human capabilities. In fields like public safety and disaster response, this kind of intelligent support can create a more trustworthy and reliable environment for those working on the front lines.
“The future of technology isn’t just about smarter algorithms; it’s about creating systems that understand how humans think, make decisions, and work together,” says Du.
As technology continues to develop, its ability to mirror human traits is one of its greatest strengths. Using those possibilities for good is a staple of the work that comes out of SCI. Du’s research serves as an inspiration for the next generation of students and researchers who hope to use technology to solve real-world problemsand make an impact.
Congratulations, Na Du, on the NSF CAREER Award! Read more about the abstract and award.