Communication and Technology Archives

Three people wearing virtual reality headsets and holding virtual reality controllers.

Communication and Technology

New study sheds light on how social dynamics evolve in virtual reality

Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) are more than just outlets to play games, socialize and increase productivity at work. They also offer new ways to explore human social dynamics in a controlled environment where every movement, gesture and action can be recorded and analyzed.

Posted: Tuesday September 22, 2026

A group of people sitting around a table using virtual reality headsets.

Communication and Technology

How do immersive technologies affect human collaboration and task engagement?

Collaboration is the basis of our success as a species, so ingrained in us that we engage in collaborative activities regularly and often without even noticing. Technology has always affected how we collaborate with others, and the development of virtual reality and other immersive platforms over the past 10-15 years may be the next big leap in human socialization and collaboration.

Posted: Tuesday June 2, 2026

A small robot with blue LED eyed reacts happily to a human hand

AI
Communication and Technology

The benefits and drawbacks of human-robot companionship

For decades, robotic companions have been a staple of pop culture, with movies and shows like Star Wars, Futurama, The Iron Giant and Her depicting a future where humans and robots coexist, form bonds and even strike up romantic relationships. What once seemed like science fiction may now be coming to fruition thanks to recent developments in artificial intelligence, but what would human-robot relationships look like in real life?

Posted: Thursday February 26, 2026

A woman wearing a VR headset with the view from inside the headset, a city skyline, visible behind her.

Communication and Technology
Health and Science
Political Communication

Using virtual reality to close psychological distances

Despite agreement among most scientists and climate experts that climate change is real and poses a major threat to the planet, apathy and denial towards it persist and proliferate. While politics plays a big role in people’s attitudes, there are also several psychological reasons for people to be apathetic, and researchers are looking for new technology for ways to close these psychological gaps. A new study co-authored by Assistant Professor of Media Production, Management, and Technology Eugy Han explored ways to use virtual reality (VR) in climate change communication and found that VR was an effective tool at reducing climate indifference among its participants.

Posted: Wednesday December 17, 2025

A collage of microphones and newspaper clippings.

Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

New Worlds of Journalism Study sheds light on the state of journalism around the world

The field of journalism is in a constant state of change, always adapting to new technologies and shifts in culture and public opinions. Since 2007, the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS) has dedicated itself to tracking these changes by creating a comprehensive report on the state of journalism around the world, with the aim of keeping journalists informed on trends within the field. In October 2025, wave three of the Worlds of Journalism Study was published, with researchers from over 120 countries showcasing their findings.

Posted: Thursday November 13, 2025

Yuan Sun points at a photo of coffee beans on this study's mocked-up website while Yang Feng looks on.

AI
Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

Generative AI may help turn consumers into active collaborators and creators, study finds

In the advertising world, generative AI is transforming the way brands connect with consumers, turning audiences from passive viewers into active creators who can shape and personalize campaign content.

Posted: Tuesday October 28, 2025

AI
Communication and Technology

Can AI-Generated News Help Reverse the Declining Level of Trust in News?

Researchers pondered whether credibility and trust in news are sacrificed when articles are AI-generated and if public nonprofit perception could benefit from exposure to that content. Their conclusions: the higher the exposure and use of AI-generated news, the higher the credibility.

Posted: Thursday October 24, 2024

AI
Communication and Technology
Political Communication

Look Who’s Talking: Celebrity Causes vs. AI-Powered Advocacy

Is a celebrity’s endorsement truly helpful for a given cause? It depends on how authentic they seem. Despite the rise of AI-powered influencers, people still tend to trust their fellow humans, even if their motives are partly driven by profit.

Posted: Wednesday September 25, 2024

AI
Communication and Technology

Decoding the Digital Dialogue: A Two-Step Framework for Human-AI Interaction

In an era where artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, the line between human and machine communication is blurring faster than ever. New research offers a fresh perspective on how we interact with and understand artificial intelligence. This innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between two emerging fields: explainable AI and human-machine communication.

Posted: Wednesday September 18, 2024

Audience
Communication and Technology

Whispers That Sell: The Marketing Potential of ASMR

ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, has been creating a quiet sensation for the last decade on the internet. Researchers explored the potential value of ASMR as a marketing tool.

Posted: Wednesday August 28, 2024

AI
Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

Pixels vs. People: The Battle for Consumer Trust in Influencer Marketing

New research examines the effectiveness of virtual influencers compared to humans in affecting brand attitudes and purchase intentions and found that, while virtual influencers are not yet ready to replace human influencers, they are carving out their own niche.

Posted: Friday August 16, 2024

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