Pengfei Zhao, PhD
Pengfei Zhao (Ph.D., Cornell University) is an assistant professor in communication & AI in the School of Communication at Florida State University. Dr Zhao's research focuses on the psychological, interpersonal, and socio-technical processes and effects of emerging communication technology, such as social media and artificial intelligence (AI). She develops theory-driven and evidence-based interventions to reduce online harms, promote prosocial behaviors, and improve digital literacy. Her current research spans three key themes: 1) understanding how moral behaviors from humans and AI shape community norms and dynamics in digital spaces, 2) advancing human–AI interaction for supportive communication and prosocial behaviors, and 3) examining the longitudinal effects of human-AI interaction on mental health and well-being.
emerging communication technology; theory-driven and evidence-based interventions; human-AI interactions