WAHS student wins UVA “Voice of Democracy” writing contest
The UVA Center for Community Partnerships and DTD Lab awarded Western Albemarle sophomore William "Liam" Meador's poem, "Beyond the Screen," first place in a UVA writing contest. DTD Lab director, Laurent Dubois and DTD Lab postdocs Maria Lungu and Aashka Dave, served as final judges for the contest.
Where the ‘Empire of AI’ is Leading Us
Hao’s appearance was sponsored by UVA’s Digital Technology for Democracy Lab (co-led by Mona Sloane, assistant professor of media studies and data science), the Sloane Lab and the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Karen Hao talks the “Empire of AI,” with two paths society can take
Leading University technology journalist Karen Hao shares the insights of her latest book, “Empire of AI”. The conversation was moderated by DTD Lab faculty co-lead, Mona Sloane.
Congress discusses limiting the TSE’s power to combat electoral disinformation
Yasmin Curzi, DTD Lab postdoctoral research fellow, contributed to an article by emphasizing that Brazil’s Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Electoral Court’s regulatory role in combating disinformation, and advocated for a specific law requiring transparency and sanctions to address the issue.
Technopolitics and extremist configurations in the era of digital platforms
David Nemer, DTD Lab faculty co-lead, highlights the role of major tech corporations in fostering neoliberal rationalities that sustain populist and extremist ideologies, calling for a critical understanding of technopolitics and its implications for democracy in a new publication.
Ten New Affiliates Join Data & Society
Jess Reia, DTD Lab faculty co-lead, joins a group of researchers, thinkers, and advocates who actively collaborate with Data & Society to advance its mission.
Photo Essay in “The Smartification of Everything”
Megan Wiessner, DTD Lab postdoctoral research fellow, has contributed a short photo essay to a new edited volume including case studies on "smart" cities, agriculture, disaster relief, manufacturing and more, from around the world.
Karen Hao’s new book explores the impact of artificial intelligence
An Evening with Karen Hao takes place on October 21 at Old Cabell Hall. It is hosted by UVA’s Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, Sloane Lab, and the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Voices of Democracy Student Writing Contest Winners Announced
UVA's CCP and DTD Lab are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Voices of Democracy Student Writing Contest. The contest invited 6th–12th grade students in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County to reflect on the theme, “Democracy in a Digital World.” Winners were selected from 141 submissions by local public, private, and homeschooled students.
Artificial intelligence as heteromation: the human infrastructure behind the machine
A new article from DTD Lab faculty co-lead, David Nemer, and DTD Lab postdoctoral research fellow, Andre Sobral, interrogates the widespread narrative of AI as autonomous, intelligent, and self-sufficient, and instead centers on the largely invisible human labor that sustains these systems.
