The Digital Technology for Democracy Lab is a collaboration across the University of Virginia that explores how rapidly evolving digital technologies can challenge, but might also fortify, democratic institutions and practices.
Pioneering transdisciplinary research to explore democracy in the digital age
Our Focus
Upcoming Events
Book Launch: An Evening About Our Future with AI
Thursday, September 10, 2026 • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
UVA Law School, Purcell Reading Room, 580 Massie Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903
Research & Programming
AI Impact Atlas
Subterranean Convergence
Open-Source AI as Democratic Infrastructure
AI Shock
Automated Futures
Multimodal Climate AI
Data in the Dark
Automation’s Ecologies
Visual Misinformation
AI & the Environment
Student Technology Council
Technology & Disinformation
Social Contagions
Gender & Tech
Co-Opting AI
Urban Digital Twins
Technology & Democracy Exchange
Data Center Policies
Descendant-Led Digital Humanities Lab & Network
Cryptocurrency & Democracy
Trending
DTD Lab Welcomes New Postdocs & Faculty Affiliate
Meet the Lab
Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice & Creativity Collection of Essays
Learn More & Download
Insights from the Visual Generative AI Propaganda Convening
Learn More & Download
Video Library
FLiNG Report Launch: How Finfluencers, Fin-Tech, and FOMO Shape Young Adults’ Financial Well-being
Cryptocurrency & Democracy
In the News
The use of AI to generate fake nudity is spreading across websites and apps without effective control.
Barriers to access are almost nonexistent today, given the proliferation of tools. Yasmin Curzi, DTD research affiliate, argues that the ANPD (National Data Protection Authority) could be more active in supervising companies that provide image creation tools without consent.
Information integrity and the responsibility of application providers in relation to digital advertising.
A new article co-authored by Yasmin Curzi, DTD Lab research affiliate, investigates how the emerging concept of information integrity can reorient the parameters of application provider responsibility regarding online advertising. It argues that business models based on algorithmic ranking can compromise the integrity of public space, requiring transparency, observability, and accountability mechanisms from platforms.
Who are the recurring profiles in fake news during elections?
Despite being investigated for spreading misinformation and attempting a coup in 2022, pro-Bolsonaro influencers remain active in 2026. Yasmin Curzi, DTD research affiliate, points out that the fact that many investigated are outside the country imposes physical limits on the performance of the Brazilian Justice, making the effectiveness of decisions dependent on international cooperation. dehumanization, and disqualification.
Join our vibrant lab and help us explore the intersection of digital technology and democracy.
Current Opportunities