The relationship between society and AI has seen growing public skepticism amid rapid adoption and evolution. The Data, Media, and Society Center explores paths toward positive, societally enriching adoption of AI and data science. By connecting academic research to real-world applications, and fostering sustained, impactful relationships across Columbia, industry and government, the Center advances meaningful outcomes at the intersection of media and data science.
The Data, Media, and Society Center focuses on applications of AI that benefit society; in particular, through two key research areas:
- Spatial and data-driven AI in media, exploring AI tools for journalism and training data-driven journalists, in partnership with the Columbia Journalism School and newsrooms like The New York Times.
- AI-driven safety in manufacturing, developing detection tools and policy frameworks to prevent illicit 3D-printed items, in partnership with the Columbia Scientific Union for the Reduction of Gun Violence (SURGE) and the SafePrint Consortium.
Leadership
Faculty Steering Committee
Members
Neel Guha
Associate Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
Members
Dhrumil Mehta
Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia Journalism School; Deputy Director, Tow Center
Members
Roshni Sahoo
Assistant Professor of Business Decision, Risk, and Operations Division, Columbia Business School
Members
Anthony P. Vanky
Assistant Professor of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation
Members
Lily Xu
Sun-Wu Assistant Professor, IEOR, Columbia Engineering
