Introducing the Center for Social Media, AI, and Politics

The NYU Center for Social Media and Politics (CSMaP) has been working to strengthen democracy by conducting rigorous research, advancing evidence-based public policy, and training the next generation of scholars for over a dozen years. However, what started as a focus on social media and political participation evolved to encompass social media and politics more generally and, in recent years, has expanded beyond social media to digital media more broadly, including the now omnipresent AI revolution. 

As we entered our second decade, it became increasingly clear that studies not explicitly focused on social media were making up an increasingly larger portion of our research portfolio. In particular, we developed an active research portfolio around generative AI and LLMs, including using AI as a tool for social science research on the digital information environment and politics; studying interactions between humans and AI for their political consequences; and interrogating LLMs to understand possible sources of political biases. 

Therefore, to better reflect our current work and future research priorities, we’ve decided to change our name to the Center for Social Media, AI, and Politics (CSMAP). 

While our name has changed, our commitment to conducting rigorous research and advancing evidence-based policy and discourse remains the same. CSMAP will continue the Center’s mission to understand politics in the digital era, improve the public conversation, and strengthen democracy in the ever-evolving digital world.