Jasmine McNealy, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology associate professor, is author of “Design + Power:  Policy for Ecology of Influence,” a chapter in the Research Handbook on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Communication edited by Seungahn Nah, Dianne Snedaker Chair in Media Trust and research director of the UF’s Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology.  The book is scheduled to be published in Nov. 2023.

In the chapter, McNealy examines how newer legislation focused on the design of AI systems might impact the interactions between users and organizations.

She writes, “To do this, I use the example of dark patterns, and how new or amended legislation aimed at deceptive design may or may not make inroads into curbing the impacts of deceptive design on users.  Regulatory approaches to the choice architecture and design may offer relief for users. But the policy frameworks must be cognizant of the many factors that impact how we decide to govern personal data.”

The research handbook contributes to the emerging field of studies on communication of, by and with AI. It brings together state-of-the-art research from over 50 leading international scholars across various fields and provides a comprehensive overview of the complex intersections between AI and communication.

McNealy is also the author of  “All the Rumors are True: Verification, Actual Malice and Celebrity Gossip” published in the Missouri Law Review, Volume 88, Issue 3.

Her essay considers the culture of fact-checking with a focus on celebrity gossip using the recent Cardi B vs. Tasha K defamation case, in which a famous rap artist sued a gossip blogger for defamation.

She writes, “The interest in gossip is in its possibly salacious nature. However, salaciousness does not equate to a lack of verification. Of course, there is gossip published that aims to harm a celebrity’s reputation, but the new media environment has not changed the mutual relationship between celebrity and media. Celebrities like Cardi B can still command media attention to correct falsehoods, and they can still successfully influence public opinion on issues of interest. Celebrities, for the most part, have still assumed the risks of fame in the context of defamation—with great celebrity comes the great risk of falsity.”

Posted: November 21, 2023
Category: AI at CJC News, College News, Trust News
Tagged as: AI, and Technology, Dark Patterns, Defamation, Jasmine McNealy, Management, Media Production, Seungahn Nah, UF’s Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology