Ahmed Alrawi
PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Karsh Institute of Democracy, University of Virginia.
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​Adjunct Lecturer
Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications,
The Pennsylvania State University
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Institute for Information Policy (IIP) Research Fellow
Department of Telecommunication Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, The Pennsylvania State University
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Associate Editor
The Journal of Civic Information
The University of Florida
I am a social scientist and a media and communication researcher who uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine how AI, social media, algorithms, and other technologies affect society. My research, writing, and public service are twofold:
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1) AI adoption, use, and effects at the individual level, social media, and online privacy, and 2) AI in digital journalism, and the implications of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Relying on survey, experimental, and computational methods, my research program aims to understand and clarify some of today’s most critical challenges facing democracies.
Human or Machine? Perceptions of AI in U.S. Journalism
This project explores how AI-generated news is received by American audiences through three key areas of inquiry. It examines how social factors such as age, education, and digital literacy influence the public’s ability to distinguish between AI-written and human-written journalism. It considers how prior experience with AI tools shapes trust in news content created with or supported by AI. It also investigates how people understand the future role of AI in journalism, including whether it is viewed as a replacement for journalists, a supportive tool, or a force that transforms how news is produced and trusted. By combining public perception with broader questions about the future of news, this project offers a unique look at how AI is redefining journalism in the United States and provides timely insights into the implications of automation for democratic communication.
Selective Disclosure and Modality Use by Rural LGBTQ+ Youth in Conservative U.S. Settings
This project examines how LGBTQ+ youth in rural and politically conservative areas of the United States use digital platforms to manage identity, privacy, and connection. It investigates the strategies these youth employ to navigate online spaces, communicate with peers, and maintain a sense of self in environments shaped by limited support and heightened social scrutiny. The study focuses on key themes such as selective disclosure, private messaging, platform use, and the role of visual and symbolic communication in shaping digital engagement. In doing so, it contributes to broader conversations about identity, safety, and digital participation within marginalized communities.
Algorithmic Visibility and News Prioritization in AI-Driven Platforms
This project examines how algorithmic systems shape the visibility of news content on AI-powered platforms such as Google News, Facebook, and TikTok. It investigates how content selection, ranking, and personalization practices influence which stories users encounter, with particular attention to the role of editorial transparency, perceived neutrality, and public trust. The study analyzes how users interpret algorithmically prioritized news, especially in contexts of political polarization and information overload. It also considers the implications of opaque algorithmic curation for journalistic autonomy, democratic discourse, and the public’s ability to access diverse and credible sources of information.
AI, Authenticity, and Influence: Shaping Public Perception on Social Media
This project examines how AI-generated content such as deepfakes, synthetic influencers, and automated posts is reshaping norms of authenticity and influence across major social media platforms. It investigates how users perceive and engage with AI-driven accounts and how algorithmic systems determine the visibility and credibility of such content. The study also explores how creators, brands, and everyday users navigate increasingly blurred boundaries between real and artificial expression. These developments prompt critical questions about manipulation, trust, and the evolving meaning of authenticity in AI-mediated digital environments