About
Dr. Sweeney’s work bridges critical digital media studies, information scholarship, and emerging questions about artificial intelligence in everyday life. As a critical digital media and information scholar, they study voice assistants, chatbots, and the broader societal implications of AI technologies.
Their research examines how conversational systems shape communication, labor, power, and human–machine relationships, with particular attention to the cultural and ethical challenges posed by AI in contemporary society.
Impact Beyond the University
In addition to ongoing research and collaboration, Dr. Sweeney is actively engaged in conversations about AI and society through speaking and scholarly outreach. They welcome opportunities for research partnerships, invited talks, and interdisciplinary engagement around issues of voice technology, automation, and digital life.
Their current book project, Voice Assistants (co-authored with Andrea Guzman), is under contract with Polity Press and is expected to be published in 2026.
A Commitment to Critical AI and Digital Media Scholarship
Through their work on voice assistants and conversational AI, Dr. Sweeney contributes to critical understanding of how emerging technologies influence everyday experiences and social structures. Their scholarship helps students and broader audiences think carefully about the role of AI in society and the importance of ethical, inclusive approaches to digital innovation.