Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI

Office of Research

Mission Statement 

To support evidence-based, context-dependent Artificial Intelligence use (or non-use) through critical examinations of how AI is reshaping information ecosystems and to foster modern information literacy skills within our classrooms, communities and society at large. 

Affiliated Faculty 

Jonathan Bartels 

Associate Professor & Associate Chair, Department of Education, CASE 

My research focuses on new literacies in English Language Arts education, particularly how teachers’ personal literacy practices shape classroom pedagogy. I examine the preparation and enactment of digital and multimodal literacies among preservice and early-career English teachers, with attention to equity, access, and culturally responsive practice. More recently, my work critically explores the implications of generative AI for literacy learning and teacher education, including issues of bias, ethics, and human agency in contemporary composing practices. 

Timothy E. Bates 

Professor of Practice, College of Innovation & Technology 

Standing at the forefront of blending practical wisdom with academic brilliance at UM-Flint’s College of Innovation and Technology, I’ve navigated a career spanning over four thrilling decades in the tech arena. I’m not just a professor; I’m a living archive of the IT evolution, a distinguished IT Fellow, and a Technical CTO who’s seen it all, from the flicker of the first screen to the latest digital marvels. 

Anne Jonas 

Assistant Professor, College of Innovation & Technology 

I explore the interrelation of digital technologies and social life through qualitative and design-based research methods, with a focus on education, labor, and marginalized communities. I am interested in how individuals, organizations, and communities develop, use, and resist AI tools in diverse contexts. 

Audrey Michal 

Cluster co-leader and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, CASE 

I am a cognitive psychologist interested in how people critically evaluate online information for their everyday decisions. I am interested in studying how to best teach K-12 and college students to apply AI-generated information appropriately to everyday contexts. I am also interested in testing AI-based approaches to help people make more appropriate, evidence-based decisions (e.g., identifying flawed or sensationalized science media reports). 

Jenny Oh 

Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Communication, CASE 

Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh is an assistant professor of communication studies. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, and their impact on strategic communication and relationship management. 

Sarah Rosaen 

Professor, Department of Language and Communication, CASE 

I am a Professor of Communication Studies who researches the social scientific impact of mass communication on audiences, with a specific focus on parasocial interactions and relationships with media personae. 

Linda Sorensen 

Assistant Clinical Professor and Program Director for the Health Informatics and Information Management program – Department of Public Health & Health Sciences, College of Health 

My research centers on conducting interdisciplinary needs assessments to support the implementation of electronic medical records at HEART, our pro bono PT and OT clinic. With a strong commitment to public health, I strive to integrate informatics solutions that not only streamline clinical workflows but also expand access to vital healthcare services for underserved populations. My work bridges clinical practice, technology, and public health, aligning closely with our cluster’s theme of advancing nurse staffing and healthcare performance at both the organizational and community levels. 

Steven Wilson 

Cluster co-leader and Assistant Professor, College of Innovation & Technology 

I study online communication using Natural Language Processing methods with a focus on understanding and incorporating the social context of text data and the people who create it. My ongoing work examines online conversations about AI use, uses AI to study storytelling and sensemaking in online contexts, and explores interventions that help people to think critically about the impact of AI on their online behaviors