Research Symposium

BIO

Deirdre Adams is a Political Science student at Florida State University, minoring in Communication. Originally from Venice, Florida, she has a developed interest in public service and the pursuit of justice, which continues to shape her academic and professional goals.

At Florida State University and throughout the Tallahassee community, Deirdre is actively engaged in leadership, research, and public service. She currently interns with the Florida House of Representatives, where she is gaining firsthand experience in the legislative process and observing how policy is developed, debated, and implemented at the state level. In addition to her work in government, Deirdre serves as a research assistant under Professor Vanessa Dennen. Through this research, she examines how individuals interact with artificial intelligence in everyday life, further strengthening her interest in policy surrounding emerging technologies.

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Deirdre is committed to leadership and engagement within the Florida State community. She serves as a University Ambassador, representing Florida State University and sharing her enthusiasm for the university with prospective students and their families. She is also an Honors Legal Scholar and a member of the Kappa Alpha Pi pre-law fraternity, where she continues to build connections within the legal field and prepare for a future career in law.

Following her undergraduate studies, Deirdre plans to pursue a Juris Doctor and a career in law and public policy, with the goal of contributing to thoughtful and effective policymaking.

The AI Diary: Active Use, Beliefs, and Casual Encounters

Abstract

With the development of artificial intelligence and the normalization of its’ use among students,
it is becoming increasingly important to understand what shapes the guidelines for this use.
Existing studies explore what/ how AI is used in an educational context but fail to address how
conflicting messages regarding AI use impact the choices students make when using AI. This
study explores how college students experience and interpret misalignments in expectations
about AI use across key social and academic contexts. Data is being collected through an online
survey using the Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems Theory to investigate AI’s influence across
multiple layers of interaction, as well as utilizing existing scales to quantify this influence. By
mapping these influences, the findings will highlight drivers and deterrents of AI use. Moreover,
this study contributes to ongoing scholarly conversations about artificial intelligence by offering
insight into how adolescents are forming relationships with this emerging technology which can
be used to formulate policies on various levels to best support student learning.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Education, Technology