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AI Everywhere: Where Artificial Intelligence and Health Care Intersect

Imagine a world where AI doesn’t just support health care providers, but anticipates their next move — detecting diseases faster than human eyes, analyzing patterns and patient data that humans might overlook and revolutionizing health care decision making at every level. Driven by data, AI can identify which patients are most likely to have repeated emergency department visits or thrive from personalized medicine. With the power of robotics enhanced by AI, people with medical needs can gain more independence, managing daily tasks such as taking medication, monitoring their health and receiving personalized care, all from the comfort of their own homes. And this is just the beginning. “AI is transforming – and is going to continue transforming – every industry, especially health care,” said Bharat Rao, a notable figure in the fields of health care, technology and AI. Rao himself has made significant contributions to artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics, particularly in health care innovation. His current start-up, CareNostics, uses AI technology to identify patients at increased risk for chronic disease. “We take this for granted,” he said, “but it’s like what I used to see on Star Trek as a kid. The opportunities are limitless.” Rao was a keynote speaker at ChristianaCare’s inaugural Innovation Summit, a two-day conference at ChristianaCare’s Newark campus in Delaware, in fall 2024. During panel discussions and keynotes, more than 200 attendees heard about current and future health tech from national innovators and thought leaders, as well as technical advice for inventors who want to patent ideas and protect intellectual property in a world where “AI Is Everywhere,” the conference’s theme. Speakers emphasized that it’s not just technologists, but also researchers, clinicians and other health care professionals who play an essential role in implementing AI-based health care solutions. “There’s no AI without HI, which is human intelligence,” said Catherine Burch, MS, CXA, CUA, vice president of innovation at ChristianaCare. “You want to help shape the future, not wait for it to shape you.” How AI helps improve patient care “AI is incredibly good at reducing noise in images,” said speaker David Lloyd, a technical leader at Amazon, who discussed the use of AI in radiology. “It can detect anomalies, and it can automate radiologist reports, which saves time for radiologists.” Data informatics is another example of the power of AI to help health professionals determine which patients are at an increased risk for falls, malnutrition or recurrent asthma attacks, enabling them to optimize patient health and prevent hospitalizations. “Some patients with asthma go to the ER repeatedly because their treatment plan isn’t working,” said speaker Vikram Anand, head of data at CareNostics. When patients have uncontrolled asthma, data-rich platforms like CareNostics can provide treating physicians with guidelines and other support to improve patient care, which may lead to evidence-based medication changes or other therapies, he said. Using robots as part of the health care team in patient homes may sound like science fiction, but speakers discussed the current evolution of consumer robotics, like Amazon’s Astro. Astro follows patients around their home, interacts with them and supports their care. When ChristianaCare tested Astro’s impact on HomeHealth patients, they found that it reduced feelings of isolation by 60%. “Astro is like Alexa on wheels,” said speaker Pam Szczerba, PT, MPT, CPHQ, director of ChristianaCare’s HomeHealth quality, education and risk management, who studied patients’ experiences with Astro. “People like interacting with Alexa, but they can only interact in the room they’re in. Astro’s mobility lets it go to the patient.” Based on early successes, health professionals are assessing robots as an extension of clinicians in the home. Early results show that patients with robots show improved activation with their care plans. This may lead to more widespread distribution of household robots to newly diagnosed patients to help prevent disease complications, avoidable emergency department visits and re-hospitalizations. How AI helps ease provider burden Speakers also discussed the potential of AI to improve health care delivery and patient outcomes by handling more administrative work for health professionals. “We can reduce some of the redundancy of work to free up time for people to be creative,” said speaker Terrance Bowman, managing director at Code Differently, a company that educates and prepares people to work in technology-driven workplaces. “AI should be taking the ‘administrivia’ – administrative trivial tasks – out of your life,” said speaker Nate Gach, director of innovation at Independence Blue Cross. “When you want folks to do the creative part of the job that takes brain power, have ChatGPT respond to easy emails.” Other examples shared included the power of AI to record meetings, create summaries and send participants automated meeting minutes. Benefits can be seen across industries. Specific to health care, eliminating the need for note-taking during visits enables more personalized and attentive provider-patient interaction. With the evolution of ambient speech apps, clinicians are no longer just dictating notes into the electronic health record. Now AI is listening to the conversation and creating the notes and associated recommendations. “The physician is no longer spending ‘pajama time’ doing catch-up work, at home late into the evening,” said speaker Tyler Flatt, a director and leading expert in AI and digital transformation at Microsoft. “Especially as we’re dealing with burnout, it’s better for patient and physician satisfaction.” AI may also help caregivers uncover details that they hadn’t noticed, helping them diagnosis patients with subtle symptoms. “We feed a large quantity of data and have it suggest commonalities about patients,” said speaker Matthew Mauriello, assistant professor of computer and information sciences at the University of Delaware. “Some things are very insightful, but humans miss them.” AI has also been used for patient engagement, including chatbots that can assist with tasks like scheduling clinical appointments or acknowledging patient questions. “One of the things AI is great at is natural language understanding,” said David Lloyd. “You can alleviate a lot of the burden if you have something that can talk to your patients, especially if it’s an administrative task.” Creating new health innovations “The key is to think of something you’ve done that’s original and non-obvious,” said Rao, who holds more than 60 patents in AI. “The process of writing about it will help you flesh it out.” Turning breakthrough ideas into game changers is just the start — protecting these innovations is what ensures they shape the future, rather than fade into the past. “Keeping it secret and internal to your organization until you know what you want to do with it is important,” Greg Bernabeo, partner at FisherBroyles, LLP, said. “Otherwise, the opportunity is lost, and you can’t get the genie back in the bottle.” Benefits of non-obvious thinking People who pursue “non-obvious” ideas are often on the cutting edge of technology in and out of health care, said keynote speaker, Ben DuPont, while discussing innovative ideas with Randy Gaboriault, MS, MBA, senior vice president and chief digital and information officer at ChristianaCare. “Amazon was not founded by a book retailer; Airbnb was not founded by somebody who was in hospitality,” said DuPont, author, entrepreneur, and co-founder and partner at Chartline Capital Partners venture capital fund. “Before Uber, the founders were running around Paris and they couldn’t get a taxi.” Innovative ideas often arise when people consider non-obvious points of view while thinking about solutions, DuPont said. Non-experts have the ability to cut through the clutter and find the frustration, which can lead to innovative solutions, which DuPont explores in his book “Non-Obvious Thinking: How to See What Others Miss.” Health providers, for example, may discover ideas when they move out of their comfort zones. “If you want to be a better doctor, go do something that has nothing to do with medicine,” he said. “Innovation happens at the collision of seemingly unrelated disciplines.” Diversity in the workplace is necessary, “but it’s not just diversity in the way people look: It’s diversity in how people think,” DuPont said. “There are people that think in dramatic and different ways. We need those people around the table. They might say: ‘If we just move this little thing over here’ … and it starts an avalanche that changes the world.” Involving the future generation During the Innovation Summit, students with an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) from St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware, competed against one another at ChristianaCare’s inaugural HealthSpark ChallengeTM. Twenty-six high school juniors and seniors were divided into five teams, then challenged to brainstorm ideas for solutions to address the negative mental health effects of social media on teenagers. Each team created a concept poster and pitched their ideas to Summit attendees. The attendees then voted for their favorite solution. The winning solution, Editing Identifiers, is designed to help minimize negative feelings about body image among teens. The solution would use AI technology to identify altered photos on social media. The goal would be to show teens that photos of “perfect” people aren’t real and alleviate the feelings of body dysmorphia. Looking forward Summit speakers highlighted many ways that AI is already incorporated into health care, as well as ways that health tech, AI, and robotics may improve care for patients in the coming years. “We are just scratching the surface,” Rao said. “It’s like laparoscopic surgery – years ago, it was considered experimental or dangerous. Today, surgery is commonly done laparoscopically, with better outcomes and less infection. AI can help identify care gaps and get the right treatment to the right patient. It’s going to be good for the patient.” In a rapidly evolving landscape, the integration of AI into health care not only enhances patient care but also creates opportunities for innovation and collaboration, said ChristianaCare’s Gaboriault. “As AI continues to advance, the health care industry stands on the brink of a revolution, one where the possibilities are as vast as the data that fuels them.”

Is all screen time bad? Experts weigh in on healthy habits for kids and teens.

With the winter holiday season upon us, many children and adolescents will be home from school for break. As with any extended periods of time outside of school, screen time for children will become a topic of discussion for families. "For academic benefits of screens, it isn't only about the screen 'time,' but about the type of activities youth are doing on screens," said Teya Rutherford, associate professor at the University of Delaware. "There is huge variance in the quality of engagement with online games, etc." During the holiday season, children and adolescents have way more time to fall down the rabbit hole of social media and general web surfing. The American Psychological Association recently released guidelines to help parents coach their teens to have healthier relationships with viewing videos online. Some of the findings include limiting screen time, monitoring content and teaching children and adolescents about misinformation. "This finding is in line with the literature on parental monitoring – in that, if parents monitor their adolescents’ use of social media, then outcomes (i.e., academic achievement) are often better for the adolescent, than for the adolescent whose parent does not engage in such monitoring behaviors," said Mellissa Gordon, associate professor at the University of Delaware. Rutherford can speak about creating engaging online environments, the science behind learning in online environments, motivating students to learn in STEM contexts and self-regulated learning. Gordon conducts research on the social mechanisms that influence adolescent and young adult development. In a 2023 Youth and Society study, she found that as middle schoolers’ social media use increased, their academic performance suffered.  Both can be contacted by emailing mediarelations@udel.edu.

Will TikTok Be Banned?

The social media platform TikTok is on the verge of a U.S. ban—unless it can be stopped by President-elect Donald Trump.  The policy will take effect on January 19, requiring that TikTok find a U.S. parent company or face a ban in the United States. This comes after concerns about user data falling into possession of the Chinese government and fears that they could use TikTok to spread misinformation. Derrick Green, communication expert at Cedarville University, has spoken about the motive behind this ban and why Trump may reverse it. Here are three key points from his recent interview: Trump has pointed out that he would not let TikTok be banned, if elected as president. How could he actually implement this and block this ban from taking effect? The President-elect used TikTok as a part of his campaigning strategy and found success on the app, this coming after he proposed to ban it in 2020. Did his use of TikTok influence his desire to save the app? The proposed ban of TikTok was based on national security and the mental health of young people in the United States. If TikTok was shut down in the United States, what would the effects be? If you are a journalist covering the TikTok ban or the effects of social media, our experts are here to help with all of your questions and stories. Derrick Green is the Chair of the Department of Communication at Cedarville University. Green is available to speak with the media regarding digital media and its effects. Simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

The Anxiety of Election Season

After the results of the U.S. presidential election were announced, many Americans celebrated. But many voters instead found only stress and anxiety. After an election of rhetoric that foretold the end of democracy if the opposing candidate won, there seems to be a unique amount of post-election stress. How did election rhetoric affect this outcome, and can we expect future elections to cause this same stress? Political expert, Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, discussed the anxiety that many Americans felt even before the election and how it can be dealt with moving forward. Here are some key takeaways from his recent interview: This election cycle caused so many Americans to lose sleep that the term "electsomnia" was coined. Has the anxiety of election season always been present, or has the presence of social media paved a way for this problem? Constant access to information about the election is a probable reason for many voters' anxiety. How can Americans keep themselves informed without causing unnecessary damage to their mental health? This is not the first complicated or difficult election that the United States has faced. Now that this election season is over, how can Americans—both those who are satisfied and those who are frustrated by the results—move forward while recognizing that politics does not define them? If you are a journalist covering the election results and voters' responses, our experts are here to help with all of your questions and stories. Dr. Mark Caleb Smith is the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. Mark is available to speak with the media regarding election emotions and the election results. Simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

Dangers of the Metaverse and VR for U.S. Youth Revealed in New Study

The metaverse, a space where the lines between physical and digital realities blur, is rising among younger populations. As of March, 33% of teens own a virtual reality (VR) device and 13% use it weekly. With the metaverse offering richer emotional experiences, youth may be particularly vulnerable to significant harm in these immersive spaces, underscoring the need to explore potential risks. Unfortunately, research of online victimization in the metaverse is sorely lacking. A new study by Florida Atlantic University , in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is one of the first to examine the experiences of harm in the metaverse among youth in the United States. Using a nationally-representative sample of 5,005 13 to 17 year olds in the U.S., researchers focused on their experiences with VR devices, including 12 specific types of harm experienced, protective strategies employed, and differences in experiences between boys and girls. Results of the study, published in the journal New Media & Society, found a significant percentage of youth reported experiencing various forms of harm in these spaces, including hate speech, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, grooming behaviors (predators building trust with minors), and unwanted exposure to violent or sexual content. The study also revealed notable gender differences in experiences. Among the study findings: 32.6% of youth own a VR headset (41% of boys vs. 25.1% of girls) More than 44% received hate speech/slurs (8.9% many times); 37.6% experienced bullying; and 35% faced harassment Almost 19% experienced sexual harassment; 43.3% dealt with trolling; 31.6% were maliciously obstructed; and 29.5% experienced threats More than 18% were doxed (publicly revealing someone’s personal information without their consent); and 22.8% were catfished (creating a false identity online to deceive someone, typically for romantic purposes) Nearly 21% faced unwanted violent or sexual content; 18.1% experienced grooming or predatory behavior; and 30% were targeted for factors like weight, sexual preference, sexual orientation or political affiliation Boys and girls experienced similar patterns of mistreatment, but girls experienced sexual harassment and grooming/ predatory behavior more frequently than boys. Boys and girls were equally as likely to be targeted because of their voice, avatar, race, religion or disability. “Certain populations of youth are disproportionately susceptible to harm such grooming, especially those who suffer from emotional distress or mental health problems, low self-esteem, poor parental relationships and weak family cohesion,” said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., first author, a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. “Due to the unique characteristics of metaverse environments, young people may need extra attention and support. The immersive nature of these spaces can amplify experiences and emotions, highlighting the importance of tailored resources to ensure their safety and well-being.” Findings also reveal that girls employed in-platform safety measures significantly more so than boys such as “Space Bubble,” “Personal Boundary” and “Safe Zone.” “We found that girls are more likely to select avatars designed to reduce the risk of harassment and to use in-platform tools to maintain a safe distance from others. Additionally, both boys and girls feel comfortable leaving metaverse rooms or channels like switching servers in response to potential or actual victimization, although overall, youth tend to use these safety features infrequently,” said Hinduja. Among the recommendations offered to youth by the researchers include: Using platform-provided safety features to restrict unwanted interactions and infringements upon their personal space. It is also essential that youth understand and take advantage of the safety features available within metaverse experiences, including blocking, muting, and reporting functionalities. Continued research and development in these areas to determine how to meet the needs of users in potential or actual victimization contexts Streamlining platform reporting mechanisms to ensure swift action is taken against perpetrators Age-gating mechanisms for metaverse environments where mature content and interactions proliferate Encouraging parents and guardians to take the time to familiarize themselves with available parental control features on VR devices and metaverse platforms to set boundaries, monitor activities, and restrict certain features as needed. An active mediation approach is ideal, where they engage in open and supportive dialogue with children about their metaverse experiences. The integration of updated, relevant, and accessible digital citizenship and media literacy modules into school curricula to provide youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate VR and other emerging technologies safely and responsibly Consideration by content creators of the ethical implications of their metaverse creations, ensuring that they promote inclusivity, respect, and discourage any form of harassment. They should strive to make their virtual experiences accessible to users from diverse backgrounds, languages, cultures and abilities. “VR concerns of parents and guardians generally reflect and align with their historical anxieties about video games, excessive device use, its sedentary nature, cognitive development, and stranger danger,” said Hinduja. “There remains so much promise with these new technologies, but vigilance is required when it comes to the unique challenges they present as well as the unique vulnerabilities that certain youth users may have. As such, it’s ‘all hands on deck’ to build a safer and more inclusive metaverse as it continues to evolve.” If you're looking to know more - let us help. Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He is recognized internationally for his groundbreaking work on the subjects of cyberbullying and safe social media use, concerns that have paralleled the exponential growth in online communication by young people. He has written seven books, and his interdisciplinary research is widely published and has been cited more than 18,000 times. Simply click on Sameer's icon now to set up an interview today.

Are you a Senior, Seasoned Citizen or "Seenager"?

Summary: The article humorously explores the different identities associated with aging: Seniors, Seasoned Citizens, and "Seenagers." Seniors embrace relaxation and nostalgia, Seasoned Citizens exude wisdom with style, and Seenagers live rebelliously youthful lives. Each group showcases the joy of aging uniquely, proving that growing older can be fabulous and fun. The aging mindset and associated vocabulary Aging: the thing we can't avoid, no matter how many anti-wrinkle creams or kale smoothies we try. But hold on! Getting older doesn’t have to be all about orthopedic shoes and early bedtimes. Sometimes, we can be intentional about how we age.  Bring to life the old saying, "You are only as old as you feel," or in this case, "only as old as we think. " Aging comes with its own vocabulary these days—like a senior high school class, except your class ring is arthritis-friendly. Your mindset will determine how you behave, and your behaviour will determine what label you fall under. Let’s dive into three hot buzzwords (labels) making waves in the grey hair community: Senior, Seasoned Citizen, and the fabulous Seenager. Buckle up your seatbelt (or your compression socks) because we’re about to break down what makes each term hilariously unique. Spoiler alert: the ability to laugh at yourself will help keep you young! The Senior: Official Member of the Blue-Haired Special Club Ah, Senior. It's the classic, the OG (Old Gangster) of aging terms. This one paints a picture of someone “past their prime” (which could mean they just don’t remember how Netflix works). Seniors have earned the right to relax, avoid emails, tell stories that start with "Back in my day…." and yell at the character on the TV to "speak up!" s But let’s not sugarcoat it—being called a senior can sometimes feel like being handed a ticket to the Rest-and-Retirement Express with a Has-Been Hangover. And if you’ve ever wondered why seniors are so good at discussing the weather, it's because everyone assumes their Wi-Fi password is “sunshine.” Historically, seniors are seen as a little out of touch, like trying to send a text from a rotary phone. But here’s the twist: while the term “senior” may suggest slowing down, many secretly download TikTok tutorials and know more about memes than they let on. The Seasoned Citizen: Aged Like Fine Wine, Not Expired Milk If Senior sounds too much like a countdown clock, I'd like to introduce you to Seasoned Citizen. Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Seasoned citizens aren’t just “old”—they’re marinated in life, baby! They’re wiser than your smartphone autocorrect and have more knowledge than an entire season of Jeopardy. "I'll take Guru for $1,000, Alex!" Seasoned citizens have been there, done that, and have the wrinkles to prove it—but in the coolest way possible. They’re like that hip grandparent who can teach you life lessons and how to win at poker. They’re the Yoda’s of society, doling out advice with just the right amount of sass. But don’t get it twisted. While they might be experts in wisdom, seasoned citizens know they’ve already done their share of life’s heavy lifting. They’re likelier to give great advice from the sidelines than participating in the next CrossFit challenge. And why shouldn’t they? With all that life seasoning, they’ve earned their spot as society’s wise sanseis. The Seenager: 70 Going on 17, and Loving Every Minute of It Then there’s the Seenager—aka the fun aunt of aging. This term combines “senior” and “teenager,” and that’s exactly how it sounds: older folks acting like rebellious teens with more fabulous cars and better credit scores. Seenagers know how to throw a wrinkle cream party, hit a Zumba class in the same evening (and still be home by 9 pm). Forget bingo; Seenagers are out here gaming on their consoles, posting selfies on social media, and flexing their fashion sense like it’s senior prom all over again. The Golden Bachelor, anyone? And don’t be surprised if they’re showing you how to work your smartphone because they’ve already FaceTimed the grandkids from halfway around the world. Seenagers are here to remind us that age is just a number that occasionally needs reading glasses. They defy the stereotype that aging means slowing down; instead, they speed up, engage in spontaneous activities, and sometimes wear questionable amounts of leather. They’re aging rebels, shaking their fists at society’s rules like, “No, I will have dessert for dinner, thank you very much!” What Kind of Fabulous Oldie Are You? So, there you have it: whether you're a Senior, a Seasoned Citizen, or a Seenager, each term brings its flavour of fabulous to the aging process. Seniors take life slow and steady; Seasoned Citizens throw wisdom around like confetti, and Seenagers party like it’s 1959 all over again (but with fewer sideburns and more disposable income). No matter which camp you fall into, one thing’s sure: getting older is a journey full of choices. You can nap through it, sprinkle sage advice everywhere, or rock that Seenager spirit with a fresh pair of Prada sneakers. The choice, dear friend, is yours—don’t forget your reading glasses! Don't Retire---Re-Wire! Sue

Black Friday Shoppers Seek Deals on Electronics, Early Sales and Convenience in a Competitive Market

This year’s Black Friday shopping will bring a fresh wave of trends for both consumers and retailers. With electronics, online convenience and competitive pricing at the forefront, the landscape of Black Friday is evolving to match the shifting shopping habits of today’s consumers, said Baylor University consumer behavior expert James A. Roberts, Ph.D. Roberts – who serves as The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business – keeps a close watch on Black Friday, including what he sees as the Top 5 trends for holiday shopping in 2024. Top Trends for Black Friday 2024 The Shift in Shopping Habits: The balance between online and in-store sales remains steady, with consumers enjoying a 50/50 split in shopping preference, Robert said. While COVID-19 accelerated a surge in online shopping, this year, both are expected to perform equally as shoppers appreciate the flexibility of both options. Holiday Deals Start Early: As the competitive landscape has grown, Black Friday sales now launch weeks in advance. This early kickoff benefits consumers who are eager to lock in discounts and spreads out the typical holiday rush, providing retailers a longer window to capture consumer interest, Roberts noted. Electronics Dominate Sales: As in previous years, electronics will be the driving force of Black Friday 2024, accounting for nearly half of all sales. Roberts said that shoppers are especially focused on deals for televisions, laptops, smartwatches and gaming consoles – underscoring the lasting demand for high-quality technology at competitive prices. Gen Z and Millennials Drive Online Growth: Digital natives like Gen Z and Millennials continue to shape holiday shopping habits. Roberts said their comfort with online shopping – coupled with their mobile-first approach – makes them a powerful force in the online retail space. Retailers can expect these younger consumers to leverage social media, mobile apps and seamless e-commerce platforms for their holiday purchases. Rising Categories: Beyond electronics, Roberts predicts that other sectors will see strong sales this season, particularly in clothing, cosmetics and home appliances. As consumer preferences expand, brands in these categories should prepare for increased demand. Factors shaping consumer choices For Black Friday in 2024, competitive pricing and convenience remain top priorities, Roberts said. “Retailers who offer the best deals alongside quick and reliable delivery options stand out among consumers,” he said. Additionally, low-cost brands – such as Shein – have set consumer expectations for affordable pricing, even as “Buy Now, Pay Later” options have increased in popularity – though Roberts said retailers and consumers alike should be cautious when using this financing option at the risk of overspending. Future of Black Friday Looking ahead, Roberts said Black Friday’s trajectory appears geared more towards online channels, with each year seeing a slight shift away from brick-and-mortar shopping. Retailers are encouraged to keep an eye on pricing expectations and financing trends, as they’ll play an increasingly influential role in the holiday season. ABOUT JAMES A. ROBERTS, PH.D. James A. Roberts, Ph.D., is The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. A noted consumer behavior expert, he is among the "World's Top 2%" most-cited scientists in a database compiled by Stanford University. In addition to journal citations, Roberts has often been called upon by national media outlets for his consumer expertise and latest research. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, ABC World News Tonight, ABC Good Morning America, NBC’s TODAY Show and NPR’s Morning Edition, as well as in articles in The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, TIME and many others. Roberts’ research has focused on how individual consumer attitudes and behavior impact personal and collective well-being. His research has investigated the factors that drive ecologically and socially conscious consumer behavior, the impact of materialism and compulsive buying on well-being and the impact of smartphone and social media use on personal well-being. He is the author of “Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don’t Have in Search of Happiness We Can’t Buy” and “Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?”

Election Night Disinformation Concerns

Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, talked to Newsday about concerns of disinformation facing television and cable networks as they prepare for their Election Day coverage. “Virtually all the mainstream media outlets, and the major networks for sure, have developed and resourced units that specialize in spotting” disinformation, he said. “They’re certainly applying the resources to combat that and to prevent their own channels from disseminating false information and I give them credit for that." However, “the fact set for one group of people is completely different from the fact set of another group,” Dean Lukasiewicz explained, because of fast-growing social media platforms like TikTok — with 170 million users in the United States alone. Dean Lukasiewicz also spoke to the Associated Press for the story, “By moving to podcasts, Harris and Trump are turning away from legacy media to spread their messages.”

Expert Q&A - Craig Albert, PhD, talks election interference

Going into the final days of the 2024 election cycle there is a very real concern about election interference from both foreign and domestic actors, and it's something that will continue to be monitored even after the final votes are tallied. Craig Albert, PhD, graduate director of the PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy and Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies programs at Augusta University, is a leading expert on propaganda, information warfare and national security studies. Albert has answered key questions about who is trying to interfere in the U.S. elections and why it matters. Q: How and when should someone vote and does it protect you more to avoid interference? The access to instantaneous news or events could affect people and their understanding of whom they want to vote for all the way up until the day they vote. Because of this ease of access, this election cycle has especially shown us how cautious we need to be in regards to scams. It's also why I know there has been a big push for early voting and mail-in voting, and it's necessary in some cases, but I prefer to vote on Election Day because you never know what type of news might come out about one of the candidates or parties. If something comes out that proves to be true, it could affect how someone might vote, but if you voted before Election Day, it's too late. At the same time, a very serious deepfake could be released that could manipulate how people choose to vote and it could mislead people, as well. Q: What are the consequences of the optics of an 'unfair' election? What the U.S. needs to be cautious about is preserving and maintaining the legitimacy of the election cycle. After the election, no matter who wins, narratives of interference and how it impacted the election are going to be shared and that's just irresponsible. Unless there's damning information and very clear evidence, you shouldn't mess around with the idea that the election was interfered with, because that could threaten the very structure of the United States. Q: What's the potential for post-election meddling? We have domestic bad actors as well as foreign maligned actors that are going to say the election was delegitimized no matter who wins. They have social media campaigns ready to post no matter which side wins, they're going to circulate false videos of ballot boxes burning or news that not all the the votes were counted and things of that nature. They're going to do all kinds of things because anybody can fake a ballot box being burned or mail in votes not being counted properly on video or something like that. The problem is if it goes out there or becomes viral, so many people will believe it and that sows discord. So, that creates distrust in the public system on a pretty big swath of the American population. Q: Who benefits from post-election doubts and chaos? You have foreign actors that really build on the type of anger that the political candidates and their parties already use through their propaganda and rhetoric. We have already seen Russia amplifying the message that somebody cheated or elections were hacked, and you have China, Iran, Venezuela, ISIS and Al Qaeda doing that, as well. You also have regular cyber criminals that just want to sew discord and distress so they can manipulate people later on and get into our banking systems and things of that nature. You have potentially hundreds, if not thousands of attack vectors coming at the United States between election night and January 20 when the new President will be sworn in. And then afterwards, they will all still be trying to create chaos, rebellion, civil unrest, or in the case of Iran, China and Russia, open civil war in the United States. Looking to know more and covering the election, Augusta University can help. Albert is available to speak with media – simply click on his name to arrange an interview today.

Civil discourse will be crucial to healing after the election

As we inch toward Election Day and brace for the aftermath, learning to disagree will be as important as ever. Civil discourse – actively engaging while aiming to understand, not persuade – is the key to navigating the upcoming political minefield, says Tim Shaffer, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Chair of Civil Discourse at the University of Delaware. Shaffer, who is also director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Ithaca Initiative in UD's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, can discuss the concept of civil discourse and how it can be used to navigate a society so divided politically that it has torn friendships and families apart. Some main points: • Civil discourse emphasizes listening to understand others’ perspectives, focusing on shared values – such as family – rather than conflicting positions. • Disagreement is actually important. Society needs friction for growth and progress. • Advice for healthy discourse: Practice intellectual humility, acknowledging the complexity of issues beyond right and wrong and recognizing the importance of gray areas in life. • Staying safe and sane on social media: "People need to feel safe and included, and we need to ensure we hear differing viewpoints, so how do we balance those competing values? There’s no secret answer, but we have to figure it out collectively." • Open discussions can be a valuable tool. "I believe in the power of education—church basements, community spaces, classrooms—to make a difference," Shaffer says. Reporters can connect with Shaffer directly by visiting his profile and clicking on the contact button.