Omri Gillath, Ph.D.

Omri Gillath, Ph.D., is a full professor of psychology at the University of Kansas. He is known for his pioneering research in close relationships, particularly focusing on attachment theory and its intersections with caregiving and sex. In recent years, he has studied attachment links with friendship, social networks, and artificial intelligence (AI). His work explores the psychological and biological underpinnings of attachment, caregiving, and sexual behaviors. By combining neuroimaging, physiological measures, and genetic analyses, Gillath has expanded the understanding of how attachment styles—how individuals feel, think, and behave in relationships—affect behavior in domains like caregiving, pro-social behavior, and sexual motivation.

In his recent research, Professor Gillath has turned his attention to friendship dynamics and the changing nature of social networks in both online and offline environments. He examines how one's attachment style influences social networks' formation, maintenance, and evolution, providing insights into how relational security affects everything from friendships to relationships with digital agents.

Professor Gillath's work on AI and trust explores the interaction between human attachment tendencies and their perceptions and trust in AI technologies. His 2021 paper, "Attachment and Trust in Artificial Intelligence," delves into how people with different attachment styles engage with AI systems, offering a unique psychological perspective on human-technology interactions. By bridging traditional psychological theory with cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary approaches, Professor Gillath continues to shape the future understanding of human relationships in an increasingly digital world.