Rethinking Communication in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

This article introduces the special issue of Human Communication Research (HCR) exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in communication. It situates the six articles in this issue along conceptual dimensions drawn from human-computer interaction (HCI) and computer-mediated communication (CMC) research. It also underscores the importance of typologizing AI's involvement in human communication by building on traditional distinctions such as mass versus interpersonal communication. In doing so, it describes how AI can fulfill analogous roles as either communicator or mediator in both contexts. This article also discusses the six articles and draws out common themes, most notably the tension between human agency and machine agency caused by the arrival of AI. It concludes by expressing optimism for the discovery of new concepts, frameworks and issues as we study both the positive and negative influences of AI on the process and effects of human communication.

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Human Communication Research following peer review. The version of record [Rethinking Communication in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Human Communication Research 48, 3 p379-385 (2022)] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqac014.

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Work Title Rethinking Communication in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. S. Shyam Sundar
  2. Eun Ju Lee
Keyword
  1. agency
  2. AI-mediated communication (AIMC)
  3. artificial intelligence (AI)
  4. computer-mediated communication (CMC)
  5. human-AI interaction (HAII)
  6. human-computer interaction (HCI)
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Human Communication Research
Publication Date June 29, 2022
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqac014
Deposited October 14, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added HCR-22-088_Proof_hi_AI_special_issue_introduction-SRW_edits.pdf
  • Added Creator S. Shyam Sundar
  • Added Creator Eun Ju Lee
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • agency, AI-mediated communication (AIMC), artificial intelligence (AI), computer-mediated communication (CMC), human-AI interaction (HAII), human-computer interaction (HCI)
    Publication Date
    • 2022-07-01
    • 2022-06-29
  • Deleted HCR-22-088_Proof_hi_AI_special_issue_introduction-SRW_edits.pdf
  • Added HCR_Special_Issue_Artificial_intelligence_Editorial.docx