These are our ongoing working groups, which serve as collaborative spaces for research, discussion, and practical experimentation. Participation is open throughout the year, and everyone is welcome to join at any point to contribute to ongoing projects. Keep checking this page because we will be adding new working groups in the upcoming weeks!
AI Hype
Welcome to AI Hype, a collaborative working group at the Public Tech Media Lab dedicated to critically examining how news coverage, public discourse, and cultural narratives shape the perception, development, and adoption of artificial intelligence across journalism and other industries. AI Hype is led by Djordje Padejski and brings together researchers, journalists, and technologists to promote responsible and evidence-based dialogue about artificial intelligence in the public sphere.
Critical Platform Studies
This group is dedicated to facilitating conversations between scholars, practitioners, and activists to understand how we can study small and big platforms more critically, ethically, and responsibly. Led by Justin Yeung.
Visual AI Manipulation & Generative Disinformation
This group would focus on investigating how AI-generated visuals, such as deepfakes, manipulated images, synthetic videos, and other generative outputs, are being used in elections, social movements, and conflicts. The aim is to understand the strategies, narratives, and techniques behind these manipulations, as well as their impact on public opinion, trust in media, and democratic processes. Led by Rana Arafat.
Open Source Investigations in Journalism
This working group on open-source investigations in journalism brings together reporters, researchers, and technologists to develop, share, and refine methods for gathering, verifying, and analyzing publicly available digital information and reflect on the ongoing institutionalization of OSINV in journalism.
Narratives of AI
This group looks at the narratives that shape how AI is understood, promoted, and contested. By discussing how metaphors and cultural frames circulate across academic research, industry, and public debate, it explores their influence on literacy, trust, and adoption. Led by Yanshu Sybil Wang.