Internet and technology

Penn State has computer science and internet communications experts who are readily available to provide commentary on trending topics such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, telecommunications, and the spread of misinformation.

  • Christopher Ali

    Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications

    Telecommunications

  • Sascha Meinrath

    Palmer Chair in Telecommunications

    Law and Policy, Telecommunications, Internet & Technology

  • S. Shyam Sundar

    James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects

    Social Sciences, Journalism & Media, Telecommunications

  • Vasant Honavar

    Huck Chair in Biomedical Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence

    Internet & Technology

  • Prasenjit Mitra

    Professor of Information Sciences and Technology

    Internet & Technology

Penn State has experts in both information technology, such as AI and machine learning, and online communications, such as social media and broadband.

  • Penn State has experts who can not only talk about the latest technological developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, but also the ethical questions that arise with such developments such as how to use technology to enhance social good and mitigate threats from misuse.
  • Social media and internet technology have changed the way we communicate with each other. Penn State experts can help unpack some of the biggest challenges that arise from this development, including protecting online privacy and data and identifying and minimizing the spread of misinformation.
  • Penn State’s telecommunications experts have been called upon to testify in front of and share insights with federal, state and county government committees regarding broadband policy and access in the U.S., specifically in rural areas. Their expertise has helped shape public policy and infrastructure.
Christopher Ali

Christopher Ali

Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications

Expertise:

  • Telecommunications

Focus Areas:

  • Telecommunications Policy
  • Broadband Policy
  • Media Localism

Contact Christopher Ali with questions about: broadband policy and deployment in the United States, specifically in rural areas.

Sascha Meinrath

Sascha Meinrath

Palmer Chair in Telecommunications,
Director of the X-Lab

Expertise

  • Law and Policy
  • Telecommunications
  • Internet & Technology

Focus Areas:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology Policy
  • Election Hacking
  • Privacy
  • Surveillance
  • Artificial Intelligence

Contact Sascha Meinrath with questions about: How surveillance, cybersecurity, and privacy have changed in a post-9/11 world; government policy; broadband; and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Internet connectivity. He can also comment on voting security, technology policy, privacy, surveillance, civil liberties, broadband mapping and artificial intelligence.

S. Shyam Sundar

S. Shyam Sundar

James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects,
Director, Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence,
Co-Director, Media Effects Research Laboratory

Expertise:

  • Social Sciences
  • Journalism & Media
  • Telecommunications

Focus Areas:

  • Emotional and Cognitive Effects of Media
  • Social Media
  • Psychological Effects of Digital Media Technologies
  • Interactive Media
  • Mobile Media
  • Customized and Personalized Media
  • Online Credibility
  • Fake News
  • Online Privacy
  • Virtual Assistants
  • Communication
  • Artificial Intelligence

Contact S. Shyam Sundar with questions about: rampant misinformation and fake news, in particular, as well as how trustworthy internet-based information sources can be identified.

Vasant Honavar

Vasant Honavar

Huck Chair in Biomedical Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence ,
Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Lab

Expertise

  • Internet & Technology

Focus Areas:

  • Machine Learning
  • Big Data
  • Artificial Intelligence

Contact Vasant Honavar with questions about: with questions about artificial intelligence and informatics.

Prasenjit Mitra

Prasenjit Mitra

Professor of Information Sciences and Technology

Expertise:

  • Internet & Technology

Focus Areas:

  • Machine Learning
  • Big Data
  • Artificial Intelligence

Contact Prasenjit Mitra with questions about: artificial intelligence, machine learning and visual analytics; the application of large language models (e.g., ChatGPT) in the medical field.

Need help finding an expert?

Penn State expertise spans far beyond those that we have currently featured on the site. Call us at 814-865-7517 or contact a member of the media relations staff

Go to top