On May 27, 2026, a special lecture titled “Artificial Intelligence and Crisis Management”, jointly organized by the Communication Studies Concentration, the Centre for Creative Media & Communication Research (CCMCR), the Graduate School (GS), and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), was successfully held in T2-102. The lecture featured Professor Yang Cheng (Alice Cheng) as the guest speaker and attracted enthusiastic participation from faculty members and students in such fields as communication studies, public relations, journalism and communication, artificial intelligence, and social governance.

At the beginning of the lecture, the moderator extended a warm welcome to Professor Yang Cheng and introduced her academic background to the audience. Yang Cheng (Alice Cheng), Ph.D., MBA, is a tenured Full Professor in the Department of Communication at North Carolina State University, a University Faculty Scholar, Director of the AI for Communication Hub, Senior Scholar of the Page Society, Legacy Scholar of the Arthur W. Page Center, and Adjunct Professor in the Poole College of Management. Professor Cheng is an internationally recognized scholar in communication and artificial intelligence. Consistently ranked among the world’s top 1% in Communication and Media Studies, she is listed in Stanford’s “Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists” and recognized by Public Relations Review as one of the top five contributors to crisis communication research. Her research focuses on AI, crisis communication, CSR, and global public relations, and has resulted in more than 85 peer-reviewed articles published in leading journals. Supported by over US$2 million in grants from the NSF and NEH, Professor Cheng currently serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management.

In her keynote presentation, Professor Cheng explored the evolving trends of crisis management and strategic communication in the age of artificial intelligence. She pointed out that, as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into organizational operations, public communication, and social governance, the modes of crisis communication are undergoing profound transformation. These technologies not only help organizations rapidly process massive volumes of information and identify shifts in public concerns and emotions, but also play an important role in risk warning, information analysis, and communication decision-making. In the face of complex situations such as public health emergencies, natural disasters, organizational crises, and public opinion incidents, artificial intelligence is becoming an important tool for improving the efficiency of crisis management and optimizing communication practices.

Drawing on her own research findings as well as cases from health communication, risk communication, and public opinion management, Professor Cheng introduced the application mechanisms of artificial intelligence in crisis communication. Through research models and case analysis, she demonstrated how AI influences the ways in which the public accesses information, perceives risk, and engages in participatory behavior. She noted that AI technologies can improve the efficiency of information dissemination and the precision of services, enabling more timely and personalized information services for the public. At the same time, however, they also raise issues related to algorithmic bias, privacy protection, information authenticity, and public trust. She therefore emphasized that communication scholars, while recognizing the value of technological applications, must also examine the new challenges brought by AI development from the perspectives of ethical governance, public interest, and social responsibility.

During the interactive session, faculty members and students actively raised questions on topics such as the credibility of AI-generated content, the boundaries of AI application in crisis response, mechanisms of public trust in AI systems, and related ethical concerns. Professor Cheng responded in detail by drawing on the latest international research and real-world cases, and also shared current trends in AI communication studies. She encouraged students to maintain an open academic vision, pay close attention to emerging issues and new directions in communication research in the AI era, and continuously strengthen their critical thinking, interdisciplinary research skills, and sensitivity to real-world social problems in their future studies and research.

The lecture was rich in content and brought together vivid cases, theoretical depth, and practical significance. Through the session, faculty members and students gained a deeper understanding of the application of artificial intelligence in crisis communication, health communication, and public relations, while also becoming more familiar with the latest developments in international communication research. The lecture not only broadened students’ understanding of the interdisciplinary field of artificial intelligence and communication studies, but also offered fresh inspiration for reflecting on the future directions of communication practice and social governance in the context of technological development.

After the lecture, Dr. Li Luyang, Programme Director of the Communication Studies Concentration, Master of Arts in Communication, presented a commemorative gift to Professor Cheng on behalf of the programme in appreciation of her insightful and inspiring lecture. Professor Cheng then took group photos with representatives of the organizers as well as faculty members and students in attendance, leaving behind memorable moments from the event.

The lecture was specifically organized by the Communication Studies Concentration, Master of Arts in Communication, with Professor Zhu Lin, Director of the Centre for Creative Media & Communication Research (CCMCR), serving as moderator. Dr. Ding Yi of the Interactive Media Studies Concentration also provided support in inviting the guest speaker. Focusing on the cutting-edge topic of artificial intelligence and crisis management, the lecture offered students of communication an important perspective for understanding public communication, risk governance, and social responsibility amid technological change. Looking ahead, the Communication Studies Concentration, Master of Arts in Communication, will continue to build high-quality academic exchange platforms, guiding students to understand the practical value of communication studies at the intersection of technological transformation and social practice, while continuously broadening their academic horizons and enhancing their research capabilities and practical awareness.