The Center on Media, Technology and Democracy
At Penn MEDIATED, we work to better understand the
information ecosystem through cutting-edge science.
And leverage that research to strengthen the foundations of democracy.
President Gutmann Joins MEDIATED
We are honored to welcome one of the foremost scholars of democratic governance, President Emerita Amy Gutmann, as a faculty advisor.
Announcing our Affiliated Faculty
We are proud to welcome affiliated faculty across Penn's schools whose research explores how media and technology shape political attitudes and the information ecosystem.
A Welcome from the Center Directors
Co-Directors Duncan Watts and Christopher Yoo present their vision for the Center, and for the future of research of the information ecosystem.
Launching the Research Compendium
Our new redesigned research compendium is a one-stop shop for Penn research on the quantitative study of the information ecosystem. Search or use categorical tags to find essential research on news media, online platforms, misinformation, persuasion, AI, and more.
MEDIATED Research Grants
We awarded $160,000 in 12 grants to fund the science of the information ecosystem, including on media narratives, LLM political speech, and peer-to-peer conversations - click to read more.
LLM Civic Discourse Project
LLMs are playing a growing role in civic discourse—how LLMs discuss political topics, refer to politicians, and relate election information. We are tracking the science, funding research, and hosting convenings on this essential topic.
Media Fragmentation & Democracy
On 10/21, we hosted our first public event on media fragmentation and its effects on the public discourse. You can watch the recording on our events page.
Our Work
Using Cutting Edge Data Science
Expanding Access to Media Data
The Penn Media Accountability Project is enhancing transparency at the scale of the information ecosystem.
LLMs Disagree on What Constitutes Hate Speech
Professor Yphtach Lelkes evaluates a range of LLMs, which disagree on what constitutes hate speech - a key finding for content moderation online. Read more in the coverage from Fast Co.
Researching Media and Information Ecosystems
Cable News Diverges from Broadcast Television
Center Co-Director Duncan Watts demonstrates how cable news has become more biased - during both hards news and opinion shows.
Using Generative AI May Undercut Learning
Professor Shiri Melumad finds that learning through LLMs leads to shallower knowledge than using traditional search.
Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy
Media Fragmentation & Democracy
The Daily Pennsylvanian covered our recent panel discussion on the Democratic Repercussions of Media Fragmentation.
LLM Civic Discourse Convening
On March 4th, Penn MEDIATED hosted an online convening to advance the scientific monitoring and evaluation of the political discourse of LLMs.
Amy Gutmann Hall
The Center is located in Amy Gutmann Hall: Penn’s new center for data science and artificial intelligence.