Ana Cristina Bicharra Garcia

Permanent Professor of PPGI
Research Line: Applied Intelligent Systems and Optimization
Started at PPGI: 08/2017
Work regime: 40h Full Time

CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/4879977915136752
Email: cristina.bicharra@uniriotec.br

Academic Trajectory: Professor Bicharra Garcia graduated in Civil Engineering and subsequently obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, focusing on artificial intelligence applied to engineering. During her doctoral studies, she interacted with major research centers such as Xerox and Silicon Valley, and conducted research on contextualized machine learning. Throughout her academic career, Professor Bicharra Garcia deepened her expertise in Artificial Intelligence through three postdoctoral fellowships at internationally renowned institutions.

In 2002, during her postdoctoral studies at Stanford University, under the supervision of Professor Martin Fisher and Dr. John Kunz, she dedicated herself to the study of ontologies and the application of artificial intelligence to information systems. Her research deepened the understanding of how knowledge is organized and represented in corporate environments, providing a solid foundation for developing more structured and efficient intelligent systems. This period was fundamental in broadening his vision on knowledge modeling and strategic information management.

Later, in 2013, at MIT, she collaborated with Dr. Mark Klein and Professor Tom Malone on collective intelligence, investigating the interaction between human and artificial intelligence. Her work analyzed how groups can improve decision-making by combining human reasoning with advanced algorithms, contributing to understanding the impacts of this collaboration on decision-making processes. This research reinforced the importance of synergy between humans and machines in solving complex problems and developing more effective decision-making models.

In 2022, during her stay at MIT, she deepened her studies in algorithmic discrimination and the ethics of Artificial Intelligence, investigating how computational models can internalize and amplify pre-existing social biases. Her research generated essential reflections on the social implications of AI systems, highlighting the need for greater transparency and equity in their development.

In 2024, she began collaborating with professors Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg at Harvard University, expanding her work at the intersection of ethics and artificial intelligence. This partnership is realized through the co-supervision of a student from the PPGI-UNIRIO program, the joint submission of the project “Mapping Factors for Navigation Technology in Brazil” to the Lemann Brazil Research Fund 2025 call for proposals, and an invited lecture at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute’s annual event, scheduled for April 2025.

These experiences have consolidated her interdisciplinary work and reinforced her commitment to developing more ethical and socially responsible intelligent technologies, expanding her influence in both academic research and the practical application of Artificial Intelligence.

Currently, the professor participates in a project with the MIT Sloan School analyzing algorithmic discrimination in banking databases. She also collaborates with an MIT group that studies social polarization and how information systems can facilitate neutral communication between polarized groups.

Scientific Contribution: Professor Bicharra Garcia has a consistent academic output, with publications in high-impact journals, consolidating her work in the areas of Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction. Among her recent contributions, a notable article published in AI & Society stands out, in which she investigated algorithmic discrimination, research that earned her the title of associate researcher at MIT.

Another relevant work was published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, presenting an innovative methodology for qualitative research in human-computer interaction and introducing new approaches to studying the intersection of technology and human behavior. Furthermore, her academic output includes an article in Sensors, resulting from supervising a doctoral student, that explored a mathematical model based on Markov chains applied to Artificial Intelligence.

In addition to her scientific publications, Professor Bicharra Garcia plays an active role in enhancing the PPGI-UNIRIO’s broad international visibility. Her presence as a keynote speaker at conferences such as CSCWD and her role as program chair at IBERAMIA reinforce her recognition in the scientific community. Since 2020, she has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the Ibero-American Society of Artificial Intelligence (IBERAMIA), contributing to the articulation of international research and collaborations in the field.

Contribution to PPGI: Professor Bicharra Garcia seeks to strengthen PPGI-UNIRIO through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating her experience in modeling real-world problems, artificial intelligence, and ethics. Her work has contributed to expanding the interaction between Computer Science and Social Sciences, promoting discussions about the impact of technology on society.

Among her initiatives, the proposal to create a multidisciplinary laboratory stands out; it is inspired by ADDLabs, which she previously founded and coordinated, and focuses on interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it has expanded collaborations with international institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, strengthening the PPGI-UNIRIO’s connections with globally renowned research groups.

Another important area of ​​focus is consolidating the PPGI-UNIRIO’s presence in social impact projects, especially in areas such as the regulation of artificial intelligence in the public sector, seeking to ensure that technological advances are accompanied by ethical and political guidelines appropriate to their implementation.

Training of Researchers: Professor Bicharra Garcia values ​​the training of students with a solid methodological foundation and an interdisciplinary approach, promoting teaching that integrates different areas of knowledge. This perspective has led to the training of highly qualified researchers, many of whom currently work at renowned institutions such as Fiocruz, INCA, and federal universities.

Her work in academic guidance is geared towards high-impact scientific output, encouraging publications in reputable venues and journals, ensuring that the research developed under her supervision has international visibility and relevance. Furthermore, she has invested in creating an interdisciplinary group, bringing together psychologists, philosophers, and social scientists to deepen research on ethics and artificial intelligence, broadening critical reflection on the impacts of technology on society.

Another focus of its work is improving theoretical training in Information Systems, promoting the integration of philosophical and social aspects into the teaching of the field, thereby better preparing students to address contemporary challenges in computing and its applications in the social context.

Main qualities of Professor Bicharra Garcia:

1. Excellence in Research and Academic Production

• • Solid academic background with a master’s and doctorate from Stanford University, reinforcing her theoretical and applied foundation in Artificial Intelligence.
  • Commitment to constant updating, evidenced by three post-doctoral fellowships at prestigious institutions: Stanford (2002), MIT (2013), and MIT (2022), expanding her expertise in AI, ethics, and collective intelligence.
  • High-impact scientific production, with publications in renowned international journals and active participation in leading conferences in the field.
  • High citation index, reflecting the recognition of the scientific community and the relevance of her contributions to research in Artificial Intelligence.
  • Practical application of research, with integration of innovative results in real-world contexts, especially at the intersection of AI, ethics, and social impact.

2. National and International Visibility and Influence

• • Strategic collaborations with MIT, Harvard, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, University of Lisbon, among others.
  • Participation in executive committees of scientific associations, such as IBERAMIA and SBC/CESC.
  • Invited speaker at national and international events and conferences.
  • Acting as coordinator of the scientific program (program chair) in reference events, such as SBSC 2025 and IBERAMIA 2022.
  • Coordination of the Applied Artificial Intelligence laboratory.
  • Recent Member of the SENAC Education Council (2025-2027).

3. Social Impact and Regulation of AI

• • Pioneering research in algorithmic discrimination and social polarization, with application in the public and private sectors.
  • Participation in debates on AI regulation and the technological impact on society.
  • Contribution to the formulation of guidelines and public policies on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.

Plans for 2025-2028:

1. Expansion of Multidisciplinary Research

• • Create an interdisciplinary group with specialists in philosophy, psychology, and ethics to support research in Information Systems.
  • Develop new research projects involving AI and social impact.

2. Strengthening Academic Production

• • Maintain academic output in high-impact journals and conferences.
  • Encourage joint publications between students and international researchers.

3. Popularization of Artificial Intelligence

• • Create a PPGI-UNIRIO channel for scientific dissemination.
  • Actively participate in national and international seminars, keynotes, and events to increase the visibility of the program’s research.

4. Social and Political Impact

• • Bring research on polarization to the Brazilian Congress.
  • Expand participation in AI regulation in the public sector.
  • Consolidate international partnerships with Harvard, MIT, Carlos III de Madrid, and Lisbon universities.