ASU collaborative brings interdisciplinary focus to AI, ethics and communication

The Intercultural Communication and Global Engagement Collaborative (ICGlobal), housed within the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University, recently convened an interdisciplinary symposium series exploring AI and the ethics of relational futures.

Held in the fall and spring semesters, each event brought together scholars and students to examine how emerging technologies shape communication, culture and society.

ICGlobal promotes communication research, teaching and practice that advance knowledge and competencies for living and working in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. The symposium series reflects the group’s longstanding commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and critical engagement with global and intercultural issues.

Organized through the collaborative efforts of ICGlobal faculty, with planning led by Pauline Hope Cheong, Serap Erincin, Tomide Oloruntobi and Uttaran Dutta, the fall symposium featured scholars from across The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Panelists included Ana Olenina from the School of International Letters and Cultures; Mayra Tirado from the School of Applied Professional Studies; Jamie Kirtz from The GAME School; and Sarah Florini from the Department of English.

Undergraduate and doctoral students actively participated in the symposium, engaging with faculty and panelists on ethical decision-making, relational accountability, and the cultural implications of rapidly evolving technologies.

“The symposium was truly inspiring,” said communication undergraduate Xie Ziyu. “The presentations allowed me to think more systematically about the relationship between AI and communication and helped clarify the direction of my future research. Overall, the event helped me develop a more complete way of thinking about AI, humanity and society, and underscored the need for continued reflection in this rapidly evolving era.”

Doctoral student Ebuka Okoli described the experience as pivotal for his research trajectory: “The ICGlobal symposium was a game changer for my doctoral research on AI, algorithms and ethics. The presentations from interdisciplinary scholars gave me a real sense of direction as I head into my second year.”

The symposium builds on ICGlobal’s broader mission to foster collaborative research and teaching that bridge theory and practice in intercultural and global communication.

Building on its ongoing work, ICGlobal hosted its second AI Communication and Culture Symposium on April 3, continuing its focus on interdisciplinary dialogue around emerging technologies.

The half-day event featured invited speakers Dawna Ballard, associate professor in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, and William Hedberg, associate professor in the School of International Letters and Cultures and director of the Center for Asian Research at ASU. Both scholars shared perspectives on communication, culture and the ethical implications of emerging technologies.

“This symposium intentionally focused on the implications of emerging communication technologies, including AI, on cultural developments in time (chronemics) and space (proxemics). The story of AI is as much about the technology as it is about us, and the story is still being written. So it is important that we deeply reflect on AI communication to help build better futures,” said President’s Professor Pauline Hope Cheong in her introduction to the symposium.

Claire Guthery, a pre-law communications senior, shared how the symposium bridged her work as a research assistant with her experience as an undergraduate. She said, “I saw firsthand how academic research translates into real-world conversations. I was inspired by the collaborative nature of the symposium, and I enjoyed hearing everyone’s perspectives on different ethical questions from across the field of communication.”

The spring symposium also created space for collaboration across disciplines, with opportunities for attendees to engage in discussion and explore new research directions. As part of the event, participants were invited to apply for thematic small grant awards, further supporting ICGlobal’s mission to foster research and innovation.

This forward-looking focus was echoed by Laura Guerrero, professor and interim director of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, who noted, “This symposium really reflects the direction the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication has been moving — taking a closer look at how emerging technologies are reshaping the way we communicate in our relationships at work, in society and across cultures. It’s exciting to see this emphasis on technology continue in the school’s future plans, including the development of a new major concentration in technology in human communication."