The Digital Technology for Democracy Lab is a collaboration across the University of Virginia that explores the intersections of democracy and digital technology, including how rapidly evolving digital technologies can challenge but also fortify democratic institutions and practices. Funded by UVA’s Grand Challenges Research Initiatives, the Lab supports faculty research and a robust post-doctoral fellowship and practitioner program and establishes collaborations and exchanges among academia and thought leaders, technologists, policymakers, activists, civil-society organizations, artists, designers, and others, taking a transdisciplinary and global approach.
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Social Contagions, Artificial Intelligence, and Democracy Workshop
Spring 2025 'Co-Opting AI' Series
The "Co-Opting AI" public speaker series is convened by Mona Sloane, faculty co-lead of UVA’s Digital Technology for Democracy Lab and assistant professor of data science.
Co-Opting AI: Museums
February 24, 2025 | 4:00 PM ET
VIDEO>>
Co-Opting AI: Privacy
March 26, 2025 | 4:00 PM ET
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Co-Opting AI: Taxes
April16, 2025 | 4:00 PM ET
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Co-Opting AI: Privacy
May 14, 2025 | 4:00 PM ET
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PAST EVENTS
Misinformation and Image Manipulation in a Polarized America
An in-depth discussion about the dynamics of misinformation and its far-reaching implications for American democracy.
Co-Opting AI: Cars
A critical discussion about the deep entanglement of AI systems with the perennial dream of data-driven cars and autonomous mobility.
Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice and Creativity
Two days of discussions to explore the dynamics of power and trust, in technology and governments, from perspectives not always included in the deployment and regulation of policies centered on artificial intelligence.
AI-Generated Visual Misinformation, Propaganda, and Democracy
The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning techniques have led to the creation of increasingly sophisticated visual misinformation, posing a multifaceted challenge for individuals, organizations, and democratic societies.
Co-Opting AI: Math
A panel of experts scrutinizes AI’s ontological infrastructure—math—and examines how statistics became instrumental for describing the social world.
Co-Opting AI: Crime
A virtual discussion about how AI-driven predictive technologies intersect with law enforcement and the social framing of “crime” more generally.
Co-Opting AI: Campaigning
What are the roles data-driven systems and AI play in political campaigning and the democratic process?
'The Algorithm': AI, Civil Rights, and the Workplace
How has AI taken over the world of work, creating one of the biggest civil rights issues of our time?
Co-Opting AI: Athletics
How do data-driven technologies intersect with athletics—ranging from performance optimization and injury risk reduction to labor, surveillance, and the global economy of sports?
Co-Opting AI: Origins
Taking a step back to trace the origins of AI and the various inventions and technologies that comprise it.
NEWS
Charting AI Regulations for Ethical Law Enforcement
UVA Digital Technology for Democracy Lab's Maria Lungu writes that AI is increasingly becoming a key player in various sectors, and policing is no exception.
patimes.org
Brazil Seeks To Break Starlink Monopoly
“We don’t know to what extent [the election of Donald Trump] could affect Brazil’s sovereignty," worries Yasmin Curzi of UVA's Digital Technology for Democracy Lab. "Starlink may disclose Internet traffic data to the U.S. government."
time.news
Elon Musk’s Feud With Brazilian Judge Is About National Sovereignty, Freedom of Speech, and the Rule of Law
Brazil’s attempt to strike a balance between free speech and regulation of online platforms has become politicized, writes Digital Technology for Democracy Lab's Yasmin Curzi de Mendonça.
theconversation.com
Elon Musk Uses X To Push His Own Story About the Platform's Suspension in Brazil
“[Brazil's] laws pertaining to free speech are different from the First Amendment in this country,” said the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab's David Nemer. “In Brazil, hate speech is not protected.”
www.nbcnews.com
How Brazil’s Experiment Fighting Fake News Led to a Ban on X
"When we saw the X decision, we were like: ‘What the hell? This is too much,’” said the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab's David Nemer. “It was a warning to all of us.”
www.nytimes.com
With Musk’s X Banned in Brazil, Its Users Carve out New Digital Homes
Weak performance belies X's importance as a gathering place for journalists, politicians, academics, and celebrities whose interactions resounded far beyond, according to the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab's David Nemer.
apnews.com
An Investment in Democracy
Grand Challenges Research Investments move the needle with a new Digital Technology for Democracy Lab.
giving.virginia.edu
PEOPLE
Ahmed Alrawi
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Yasmin Curzi
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Laurent Dubois
John L. Nau III Bicentennial Professor of the History & Principles of Democracy and Professor of History, University of Virginia
Academic Director, Karsh Institute of Democracy
Director, John L. Nau III History & Principles of Democracy Lab
Khari Johnson
Fellow in Journalism, UVA's Digital Technology for Democracy Lab
Technology Reporter, CalMatters
Steven L. Johnson
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Associate Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce
Area Coordinator—Information Technology & Innovation
Mona Kasra
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Associate Professor of Digital Media Design, Department of Art, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Aynne Kokas
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
C.K. Yen Professor, Miller Center
Associate Professor of Media Studies, Department of Media Studies, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Maria Lungu
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
David Nemer
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Associate Professor of Media Studies, Department of Media Studies, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Jess Reia
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Assistant Professor of Data Science, School of Data Science
Bertrall Ross
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Justice Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Professor of Law, UVA School of Law
Director, Karsh Center for Law & Democracy
Mona Sloane
Faculty Co-Lead, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Assistant Professor of Data Science, School of Data Science
Assistant Professor of Media Studies, Department of Media Studies, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Andre Sobral
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia
Megan Wiessner
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia