The Efficiency–Atrophy Paradox
How AI assistance can improve immediate performance while reducing the practice needed to develop independent competence.
Speaking & Workshops
I give research-based talks and workshops on AI, cognition, human agency, and digital life.
Speaking topics
Growing Up Digital
Evidence on digital technology, attention, cognition and youth development, and its implications for education.
Further topics
Algorithms, Agency & Digital Life
How recommender systems, personalization and attention-oriented design affect autonomy, learning and youth wellbeing.
Artificial Companionship & Human Relationships
AI companions, reciprocity, vulnerability, attachment and expectations of human relationships.
Moral Judgment & Advanced AI
Human–LLM moral judgment, value alignment, human control and limits on delegating responsibility to machines.
AI & Catholic Education
AI use in education, examined through Catholic accounts of judgment, responsibility and the whole person.
Recent engagements
Full archive →The Efficiency–Atrophy Paradox: Empirical Findings on Negative Effects of AI Use on Cognition
An interactive workshop on AI assistance, independent thinking and the difference between task performance and learning.
Digital Media and Children's Development — Classification and Interactive Illustration of Mechanisms
A joint lecture with interactive demonstrations of how digital media affect children's cognition, learning and development.
Behind the Scroll: Algorithms, Attention & Youth Wellbeing
A session for youth workers and youth-health participants on recommender systems, attention, learning and relationships on digital platforms.
Challenges to Youth Development, Education, and Safety in the Digital Age
A lecture for teachers and educators at Gimnazija Želimlje on young people's development, education and safety in digital environments.
Invite me to speak / Enquire about a workshop
Please include your organisation, audience, topic, possible dates, location or online format, and proposed session length.
Email a speaking enquiry ↗octavian [dot] machidon [at] fri [dot] uni-lj [dot] si