COM Research Seminar: Craft, Code, Credibility: Innovative Integrations of AI in Strategic Communication by Dr. Haoran Chris Chu

17 Sep 2025 (Wed)

On 17 September 2025, Dr Haoran Chris Chu, from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, delivered a seminar entitled “Craft, Code, Credibility: Innovative Integrations of AI in Strategic Communication”. Dr.CHU is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Relations at the University of Florida. His research examines the strategic communication of pressing public health and environmental risks, with a recent focus on how advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence reshape the design, delivery, and reception of persuasive messages.
 
This seminar delineated a research program that traversed the trajectory from AI's capacity to scale the production of persuasive content, to the consequences of its integration into strategic communication, ultimately addressing the core question: 'Can AI be used to persuade, when is it effective, and why?' Dr. CHU commenced the seminar by illustrating the conditions under which AI can craft persuasive narratives and the underlying mechanisms, such as transportation, counterarguing, and labeling. He then turned to scale, outlining how Al-assisted tailoring and podcast-style explainers extend these capabilities, and how personalization and format shape processing, credibility, and engagement. Finally, he discussed pathways for integrating AI more responsibly, effectively, and equitably.
 
The seminar attracted around 20 PhD students, faculties and scholars attended the seminar, who engaged actively and contributed to a thought-provoking discussion.