Who Controls Information Now? AI Search, Journalism, and Democratic Risk; An Interview with Dr Joanne Kuai

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping how information is produced, distributed, and consumed, understanding the implications for journalism and democratic governance has never been more urgent. Few scholars bridge these worlds as effectively as Dr. Joanne Kuai, a former journalist and now a postdoctoral researcher at RMIT University, Australia. Her work examines how AI and algorithmic systems influence news production, political communication, and global information flows with a particular emphasis on China, comparative media systems, and governance challenges.

She holds a PhD from Karlstad University, Sweden, and is an Affiliate of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S). Joanne teaches in the JournalismAI Academy at Polis, LSE, and contributes regularly to the New Books Network podcast. Her work has appeared in leading journals including Telecommunications Policy, Digital Journalism, and New Media & Society. Before entering academia, Joanne worked as a reporter, editor, and news anchor in China.

Drawing on extensive empirical research, from audits of generative AI–powered search engines to interviews with journalists across continents, Dr. Kuai investigates how new technologies redistribute power, challenge longstanding journalistic norms, and create both opportunities and vulnerabilities in the information ecosystem. Her insights are especially relevant for policymakers, researchers, journalists, and industry stakeholders navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-mediated communication.

In this edition of Experts Take, we explore the risks, responsibilities, and future directions of journalism and governance in the algorithmic age. This interview was conducted by SCSA-IPA Research Intern Anahita Poursafir.