The University of California is at the forefront of exploring how AI is shaping research, society and technology. UC campuses are exploring AI’s impact on education, privacy, healthcare and innovation, while developing cutting-edge tools that push the boundaries of science and engineering. In this roundup, we’ve gathered eight recent articles that highlight some of the most exciting and thought-provoking AI work happening across the UC system.
AI and Society
The Growing Influence of AI: Risks of AI Mirror Social Media (UC Davis)
Experts at UC Davis warn that as AI becomes smarter and more widely used, it may pose risks similar to those we’ve seen with social media, especially for young people. Research shows AI chatbots can feel deeply personal and persuasive, blurring the line between human and machine interaction, thus raising concerns about influence, intimacy and data collection. Researchers stress the importance of learning from past mistakes and shaping AI’s development with thoughtful oversight and responsible use.
UC Irvine Study Reveals Californians’ Mixed Views on AI’s Impact on Youth
A UC Irvine study finds that Californians have mixed feelings about AI’s impact on youth, balancing optimism about learning and future careers with concerns about critical thinking, cheating and lack of oversight. While many parents see benefits, trust in schools, government and tech companies to manage AI responsibly remains low, which highlights the need for clearer guidance as AI becomes more embedded in young people’s lives.
Women Portrayed as Younger Than Men Online, and AI Amplifies the Bias (UC Berkeley)
A UC Berkeley–led study finds that women are routinely portrayed as younger than men in online content, and that AI tools can amplify this bias, particularly in professional contexts. The research raises concerns about how AI may reinforce stereotypes that affect perceptions of experience, authority and workplace equity.
UC Berkeley Experts Discuss Legal and Economic Questions About AI Technologies
A panel of UC Berkeley experts explored the legal and economic challenges of generative AI, from ongoing copyright lawsuits and debates over fair use to questions about how AI affects creative industries and economic competition. The discussion highlighted how courts, companies and policymakers are navigating unfamiliar territory, and how decisions made now could shape AI innovation, regulation and global competitiveness for years to come.
UC Davis Study Reveals Alarming Browser Tracking by GenAI Assistants
A UC Davis study found that many GenAI browser assistants—tools that help with tasks like summarizing pages and answering questions—can collect and share sensitive personal data without users’ knowledge, even sending details to third party trackers and analytics services. The research highlights serious privacy risks with these extensions and calls for greater transparency, stronger safeguards and more user awareness when using AI powered tools online.
AI in Research and Innovation
Federal Grants Support Research on AI-Driven Protein Design (UC Davis)
New federal funding is accelerating UC Davis research at the intersection of AI and protein science. Using machine learning, multidisciplinary teams are designing proteins with applications in human health, nutrition and industry, while also training the next generation of researchers. The work highlights how AI-driven innovation at UC Davis is delivering real-world impact.
How AI Sentiment Analysis Could Apply to Complex Medical Diagnoses (UCSF)
UCSF researchers are exploring how AI sentiment analysis—a technique inspired by tools that summarize opinions online—can help improve the diagnosis of complex medical conditions like hepatorenal syndrome by analyzing clinicians’ notes. Early results suggest that incorporating sentiment from multiple providers’ records could boost diagnostic accuracy and clarify care decisions, offering a promising new way to support doctors and patients in challenging cases.
AI in Engineering and Robotics
I, Robot (UCLA)
A UCLA Magazine feature chronicles the career of roboticist Dennis Hong and his RoMeLa lab, whose diverse robots, from dancing machines to disaster-response prototypes, are pushing the boundaries of engineering. The article highlights how Hong and his team are beginning to integrate AI with mechanical design, using advanced AI models alongside traditional robotics to enhance capabilities and navigate complex behaviors, even as they explore new applications from search-and-rescue to planetary exploration.
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