Contact

//

Office	A428
Address	Bd de Pérolles 90 1700 Fribourg Switzerland
Email	simon.ruffieux(at)unifr.ch
ORCID	0000-0003-0398-1660
Github
Researchgate profile
Linkedin profile

Simon Ruffieux

Doctor in Computer-Science

Research interests

Senior Researcher and Lecturer in the department of Informatics of the University of Fribourg. I am a member of the Human-IST Institute. I currently lead the HIP Initiative (Human-IST x SwissPost Initiative), coordinating all academic projects in relation with Swiss Post. My research is focused in the area of machine learning, augmented intelligence, data science, human-computer interactions and augmented & virtual reality. I am particularly interested in leveraging recent advances in technologies to empower individuals, with a specific focus on individuals with special needs. My research interests include:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Augmented Intelligence
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Impact & Dynamics of Human-AI Interaction (Generative AI)
• Augmented & Virtual Reality
• Robotics
• Sustainability

Teaching

Current lectures

• Fabrication and Prototyping in the LearningLab [2024-2025], UNIFR, Lecturer
• New Tech, HEG-FR [2020-2025], HEG-FR, Lecturer (only for the topic of AI for Businesses)
• HCI seminar [2020-2025], UNIFR, Assistant
• Inside the Mind of a Large Language Model (Workshop) [2022-2025], Lecturer
• Installer et faire tourner des modèles de langage en local (Workshop) [2025], Lecturer

Past lectures

• Machine Learning [2023-2024], UNIFR, Lecturer
• Algorithmics [2020-2024], UNIFR, Lecturer
• Multimodal Processing, Recognition and Interaction [2013-2020], HESSO, Lecturer for selected topics & responsible for final projects
• Software Engineering [2015-2016], HESSO, Lecturer & responsible for practical works
• Advanced Interfaces [2014-2016], HESSO, Lecturer for selected topics
• Machine Learning [2012-2014], HESSO, Lecturer for selected topics & responsible for practical works
• Multimodal Interfaces [2012-2014], UNIFR, Lecturer for selected topics
• Introduction to Numerical Techniques [2010-2013], HESSO, Lecturer

Theses supervision

Ongoing

• Francesco Lam, Human-AI Collaboration - Impact of Dynamics of Access and Usage [MSc, 2025]
• Sofia Panagiotakou, Neurobehavioral Signatures of AI vs Natural Image Perception [MSc, 2025]

Completed

• Ana Bog, JournAI: Companion for Mental Health Support [BSc, 2025]
• Diogo Rochat, Predicting Psychological Outcomes of Digital Life: A Machine Learning Analysis on European Data [MSc, 2025]
• Davide Morelli, Visualization and Analysis of Electricity Consumption for Private Individuals [MSc, 2025]
• Ann Kiener, Evaluating the Effects of Experiencing Mixed Reality Simulations of Symptoms of Schizophrenia on Empathy in Medical Students [MSc, 2024]
• Jiaxin Li, An Interface Supporting Visualization and Comparison of Multiple GPS Traces [MSc, 2024]
• Morgane Kappeler, Investigating the possibilities of eye gaze visualizations in on-site AR collaboration game [MSc, 2024]
• Kimmy Costa, Exploring the Applications of Haptic Feedback in Virtual Reality based Vision Rehabilitation Tasks [MSc, 2024]
• Sophie Maudonnet, An Augmented Reality based Sandbox to Investigate the Potential of On-Site Collaborative Tasks [BSc, 2023]
• Mikkeline Elleby, Collaborative Augmented Reality Platform: A Feasibility Study [BSc, 2023]
• Loris Bertschi, Co-design of an AR Rehabilitation Task for People with Visual Impairment [BSc, 2023]
• Cédric Membrez, AR Escape Room to Support the Rehabilitation of People with Visual Impairment [MSc, 2023]
• Karim Aebischer, A Gamified Mobile Application for Approach-Avoidance Tasks [MSc, 2022]
• Hekuran Mulaki, A Novel Augmented Reality Tool for the Rehabilitation of Patients with Unilateral Spatial Neglect [MSc, 2022]
• And many more in my previous position at HESSO Fribourg that are not listed here ....

Dissemination & other activities

• Infodays 2025 - Presenting the Computer-Science Department, UNIFR, 2025
• Happy 2025 - Hosting a stand on 'Exploring the intersection of digital technologies & mental wellbeing' with Marisa Tschopp, UNIFR, 2025
• Student Welcome 2025 - Disclaimer on the Use of AI, UNIFR, 2025
• Presentation of Human-IST to UNIFR Informatics Students - Bsc and Msc Opportunities at Human-IST Institute, UNIFR, 2025
• CUSO 2025 - Co-organisation of the Winter School on Human-AI Collaboration, UNIFR, 2025
• Introduction à l'IA et sa bonne utilisation, ECG Fribourg, 2024
• LLM or Human - Can you guess with whom you are interacting? , UNIFR Explora, 2023
• ACCROSS EU, Member of the UNIFR delegation in Valladolid, UNIFR, 2023
• SCAI, Conference organisation, UNIFR, 2022
• List of past events to be completed

Publications

• Check my ORCID page 0000-0003-0398-1660