Communication and Artificial Intelligence. Multidisciplinary perspectives

The dialogue between Communication Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with varying degrees of intensity, has been common practice in academia for several decades. This interconnected work allows for the development of new narratives as well as the (re)cognition of new communication practices supported by developments in artificial intelligence, leading researchers and communication professionals to face a moment of change in the conceptualisation and practice of communication, in terms of its form, content and generation.

Digital communication is not developing a virtual world, but a real virtuality, integrated with other forms of interaction, in an increasingly “hybridised” everyday life. In fact, the relationship between organisations and their stakeholders, driven by artificial intelligence, has been evolving, and it is now imperative to recognise the involvement of communication technologies, which give rise to new choices and new patterns of interaction. On the other hand, the relationship that people, different audiences, establish with information in digital environments can also interfere with how each individual experiences everyday life. Interaction with chatbots and the mediation of our daily routine by virtual assistants and AI-powered applications, with which we are also learning to communicate, is becoming increasingly common. Thus, the impacts of AI on communication and, therefore, on human life, are complex and paradoxical, also affecting offline experiences.

The objective of this study on Communication and Artificial Intelligence is to provide an in-depth review of the state of the art of research on the subject, in order to provide a deep and current understanding as well as to detect immediate or medium- to long-term challenges and opportunities.