Dan, Viorela

My research investigates how people interact with AI-generated content and AI-supported communication environments. At its center is the question of how artificial intelligence changes communication processes: from the production and dissemination of public communication to journalistic and political work routines, and to the effects of AI-mediated messages on audiences. Political deepfakes and AI-assisted fact-checks are among the key objects of my research. 

My work shows that AI should not be understood merely as technological infrastructure, but as part of social, professional, and public communication processes: people work with AI, respond to AI-mediated content, attribute responsibility to AI, or use AI strategically to shift responsibility. This is precisely why communication research is needed to connect technological developments with questions of effects, trust, and accountability.

• Human–AI interaction in political communication, journalism, and public communication
• AI-generated content, synthetic media, and political deepfakes
• Disinformation, fact-checking, and AI-assisted verification
• Accountability in AI-assisted communication processes
• Public communication about AI

• 2009 Diploma in Communication, Department of Media and Communication Studies, Ilmenau University of Technology
• 2011–2016 Pre-doctoral Researcher, Department of Media and Communication Studies, Free University of Berlin
• 2016 PhD in Communication, Department of Media and Communication Studies, Free University of Berlin
• 2016–2017 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Media and Communication Studies, Free University of Berlin
• 2017–2022 Postdoctoral Researcher (“Akademische Rätin”), Department of Media and Communication, LMU Munich
• 2023–2026 Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) of Media Dynamics and Societal Transformation, Department of Media, Society and Communication, University of Innsbruck
• 2025 Habilitation in Communication, Department of Media and Communication, LMU Munich
• since April 2026 Tenure-track professorship in Interactive Communication, University of Vienna