{"id":989,"date":"2026-03-30T14:54:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T14:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/?page_id=989"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:58:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:58:45","slug":"critical-use-of-ai","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/clusters\/critical-use-of-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-umflint-templates umflint-template-default_no_jumbotron\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2000\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-511\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge-1024x800.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge-768x600.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge-1536x1200.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/69\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.Walking.Bridge-2048x1600.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-secondary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14476f663d3243b28ce867855eec6505\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);font-size:clamp(31.152px, 1.947rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.863), 55px);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;text-transform:uppercase\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI<\/span><\/h1>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-3\">\n\t\t\t\n<button class=\"btn btn-section w-100 px-0 wp-menu-block-toggle mobile-nav-toggle d-none\" data-target=\"wp-menu-block-side-menu\">\n          <span class=\"h-100 mr-3 mt-1 d-block mobile-nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span 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aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb mb-3\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\">Office of Research<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/clusters\/\">Research Clusters<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\">Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI<\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ecfa1eb130d600cba743ba63ab357bda\">Mission Statement&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2599be33b26da5600602c7938beea27d\">Affiliated Faculty&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-9b1f2c1bfcc666b5d189295de01f6795\"><strong>Jonathan Bartels&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Associate Professor &amp; Associate Chair, Department of Education, CASE&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My research focuses on new literacies in English Language Arts education, particularly how teachers\u2019 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-0e776335009fd4e030cbc9d8e9803277\"><strong>Timothy E. Bates&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Professor of Practice, College of Innovation &amp; Technology&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing at the forefront of blending practical wisdom with academic brilliance at UM-Flint&#8217;s College of Innovation and Technology, I&#8217;ve navigated a career spanning over four thrilling decades in the tech arena. I&#8217;m not just a professor; I&#8217;m a living archive of the IT evolution, a distinguished IT Fellow, and a Technical CTO who&#8217;s seen it all, from the flicker of the first screen to the latest digital marvels.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-d7e067bbfa7fa5a26d8d927ad3142170\"><strong>Anne Jonas&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Assistant Professor, College of Innovation &amp; Technology&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-11eac4b74d1f8f5866a0e1aa997cc803\"><strong>Audrey Michal&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cluster co-leader and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, CASE&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-bbb7f437741d506f3ebece8f2fe9c0ee\"><strong>Jenny Oh&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Communication, CASE&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-8eb7c37304e76815f201b696ceb23ddd\"><strong>Sarah Rosaen&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Professor, Department of Language and Communication, CASE&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-51fc11c9cb83f2a5a7ca2386773ab022\"><strong>Linda Sorensen&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Assistant Clinical Professor and Program Director for the Health Informatics and Information Management program &#8211; Department of Public Health &amp; Health Sciences, College of Health&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s theme of advancing nurse staffing and healthcare performance at both the organizational and community levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-740907a1e8d98dea757a07c1c21d02e2\"><strong>Steven Wilson&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cluster co-leader and Assistant Professor, College of Innovation &amp; Technology&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/clusters\/critical-use-of-ai\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":33,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-989","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=989"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1001,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989\/revisions\/1001"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}