Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often seen as a double-edged sword, capable of both incredible benefits and significant risks. When it comes to its influence on our daily lives, freedoms, and educational systems, AI has been a topic of both fascination and concern.
Regents’ professor and Senior Associate Chair in the School of Interactive Computing in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, Amy Bruckman is a leading researcher in her field, shedding light on the positive potential of AI. Her work provides important insights into how AI can shape a better future.
A Scholar’s Odyssey
Professor Bruckman embarked on her academic career at Harvard University, where she received her undergraduate degree in physics in 1987. Her intellectual journey continued at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her PhD from the Epistemology and Learning Group at the Media Lab in 1997.
Today Bruckman’s research primarily focuses on social computing, collaboration, social movements, content moderation, and internet research ethics. She is recognized as an ACM Fellow and a member of the ACM SIGCHI (Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction) Academy.
Making an impact in her field.
Professor Bruckman is not merely an observer; she is an active participant in the evolving landscape of emerging technologies like AI, and has done so throughout her career. As a graduate student, Bruckman founded an online community for media researchers called MediaMOO, innovating an online community design that is the forerunner to many of the social networks that are prominent today. In 2022, Professor Bruckman’s book Should You Believe Wikipedia? explored the dynamics of online communities and the creation of knowledge in the digital age. Here, Bruckman addresses critical questions about the reliability of online information and the role of AI in shaping content.
“AI is not a threat but a tool that, when used judiciously, can enhance the quality of life for ordinary individuals and create new opportunities.”
Professor Amy Bruckman
With support from the Institute for Humane Studies Expense Support program, Bruckman has contributed to important discussions about the multifaceted world of AI, large language models, content moderation, and its implications for society. Her upcoming project will expand her crucial research on the nature of online communities, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse about the impact of AI on society.
Bruckman’s work demonstrates how AI can be a crucial tool for creating supportive, innovative online communities, while also addressing the ethical dimensions that come with this technological advancement.In addition to her groundbreaking research, Professor Bruckman’s commitment to excellence extends to the classroom. Her exceptional teaching skills have been acknowledged through the Georgia Tech Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching award for the last three consecutive years, showcasing her dedication to nurturing the future generation of scholars.
Looking Ahead
In her blog on Medium, Bruckman took a prescient stance on the integration of AI into education that is reflected in academia today. Drawing parallels with the introduction of calculators, Bruckman envisioned a future where writing exams will evaluate not just what one can do without AI but also the creative possibilities AI brings to the table.
As we navigate the intricate relationship between AI, education, and society, Professor Bruckman’s work stands as a beacon of optimism. “AI is not a threat but a tool that, when used judiciously, can enhance the quality of life for ordinary individuals and create new opportunities,” Bruckman said.
The Institute for Humane Studies continues to play a crucial role in supporting scholars like Professor Bruckman and fostering a community where intellectual exploration thrives. To learn more about IHS scholars, programs, and opportunities, visit
