In This Story
Nearly a decade ago, during a visit to his hometown in China, computer scientist Zhicong Lu met a woman in her 50s who surprised him with her deep knowledge of live streaming platforms. “She was using live streaming for learning slam poetry,” Lu recalled, explaining that she connected with an expert in Beijing through paid, subscription-based live sessions. “I realized these kinds of platforms are empowering people,” Lu said.
That early realization became a foundation for Lu’s later research, including an award-winning paper presented at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) CHI conference, the top conference in human-computer interaction (HCI) in the world. The paper examined how practitioners of intangible cultural heritage such as calligraphy, traditional musical instruments, and embroidery use live streaming to preserve fading traditions. The users’ motivation, Lu explained, often went beyond income. “They thought it is their responsibility to let more people know about their practices,” he said, especially because “some practices are in danger of dying out.”
Now a faculty member in computer science at George Mason University, Lu’s research spans HCI, social computing, and generative artificial intelligence, with a consistent focus on how digital platforms shape human relationships. He explores how technology mediates human connection. One upcoming ACM CHI paper investigates how an app that uses AI-generated micronarratives can enrich digital communication in close relationships. “The stories really make users reflect on the relationship and their personal histories,” Lu explained, noting that the tool, called PuppetChat, helped inspire deeper conversations.
Lu also brings this human-centered philosophy into the classroom. He teaches a graduate-level course on user interface design, emphasizing iterative, user-centered methods. “Students brainstorm use cases, conduct interviews, sketch prototypes, test with users, and then iterate,” he said. While some students initially find the creative process unfamiliar, Lu noted that structured milestones help them adapt and succeed.
Looking ahead, Lu is excited about research on multi-agent AI systems, AI-generated stand-up comedy, and platforms populated entirely by AI agents. He is eager to teach future courses that explore the intersection of generative AI and social computing. “Generative AI is definitely influencing social media and social computing systems,” he said, "and HCI, as a research field, needs to reflect more critically on how to design for an ecosystem where humans and AI agents co-exist."
As digital platforms and AI reshape how people connect and create meaning, Lu’s work underscores the university’s mission to expand access and empower communities.