Home

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.

View Publications Email

About Me

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 about AI’s impact on social structures and methods for using AI in research, including synthetic replications.

Human–AI Cooperation AI Agents Behavioural Experiments Mixed Methods

Featured Article

Cover image for 'Evading the Algorithm' article

Evading the Algorithm: Increased Propensity for Tax Evasion and Norm Violations in Human–Computer Interactions

2023 Frontiers in Behavioral Economics Open Access

People cheat more when they believe oversight is algorithmic rather than human. Framing the system as a simple automation exacerbates violations, while complex AI framing pulls behavior closer to human inspection. Design & presentation of automated inspectors directly shape compliance.

Read article Github Code

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

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

Society of Human and Machines (SOHAM)

Joint research centre dedicated to understanding how AI and automation are reshaping society.

BRIDGE Lab (DSI)

Bridging the «Wisdom Gap» through research and innovation across sectors and cultures.

Reimagining Artificial Intelligence

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

Teaching

Experimental Design in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Bachelor & Master)

Original Course Design & Instruction

Explores how AI is transforming social science experimentation from study design and data generation to analysis.
Teaches students to integrate AI tools across the research process.
Includes hands-on replication of an experiment using LLM synthetic participants.
Bridges experimental methods with innovation to rethink how we study human behavior in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Introduction to Social Norms and Cooperation (Master)

Teaching Assistant

Introduces the study of social norms and experimental methods for cooperation, trust, and norm enforcement.
Engages students through discussions, presentations, and critical readings of landmark studies.
Examines how norms emerge, change, and sustain collective behavior in modern societies.
Combines conceptual insight with practical training to design and evaluate behavioral experiments.

Scientific Methods (Bachelor)

Tutor

Supported students in mastering core techniques of scientific work from literature and data research to the critical discussion of academic texts.
Guided the interpretation of empirical results and effective presentation of scientific findings.
Provided feedback and graded written assignments, fostering analytical and methodological competence.

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