Jingjing Li

My name is Jingjing Li. I am part of the IT and Innovation Area at the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia. I joined UVA in 2014 and hail from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China. I have collaborated with my colleague Steven Johnson to apply for a grant aimed at supporting a post-doctoral associate in researching the impact of AI on youth mental health. Since then, I have been actively involved in several TYDE events and seminars.

Research

My research focuses on AI and big data analytics, with applications in search engines, healthcare, marketing, platforms, and public policy. Recently, I have concentrated on generative AI technologies and their applications in areas such as mental health, the future of work, and evidence-based medicine. I find the potential of generative AI to transform workflows and create "digital twins" particularly exciting.

Digital Technology in Daily Life

As a professor specializing in IT and Innovation, digital technology is deeply integrated into my daily life. I read industry insights from sources like The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Harvard Business Review, and MIT Sloan. During my commute, I listen to podcasts on technology, research, and communication. I use tools like Speechify to transcribe PDFs into audio format and Audible for books on education. Professionally, I share my thoughts on research and teaching on LinkedIn, and I use Facebook for personal storytelling. Recently, my interest in generative AI has grown, and I frequently use tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude for experimentation.

Challenges Facing Young People

One of the main challenges young people face in navigating digital technology and social media is developing comprehensive digital literacy. The rapid evolution of digital tools means that young users often struggle to keep up with new features and understand their potential impacts. There is a significant gap in formal guidance within K-12 curricula, and educators and parents need to remain actively engaged in learning alongside young people.

Another critical challenge is understanding the externalities of online behaviors. Young users often struggle to grasp the long-term consequences of their posts, which can have far-reaching impacts, such as data privacy breaches. Teaching young people to think critically about their digital footprints and the long-term impact of their actions is crucial.