[AI Seminar Series] Seminar by Dr. Inyoung Shin, Friday May 22nd, 12-1pm, MRB Seminar Room

[Vassilis Tsotras]

The next AI Seminar will be on Friday May 22nd, 12-1pm, in the MRB Seminar
Room (1st floor).

*** Pizza and refreshments will be provided ****

To keep track of the number of attendees, please *register* at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-seminar-series-tickets-1989799614210

The talk will be given by *Dr. Inyoung Shin*, AI Research Librarian, UCR

TITLE: Does Generative AI help reduce gaps rooted in proficiency? A study
on AI assisted Professional Writing for Native and Non-Native English
Speakers.

ABSTRACT:
It has long been a research topic in the social sciences to examine whether
technology bridges or reinforces existing social gaps. With the emergence
of generative AI based on LLMs, there is growing optimism that people with
lower skill levels may benefit the most from these technologies. However,
the ways in which skills are shaped by broader social constraints have not
been explored in depth. In this study, we focus on English nativity in the
U.S as a dual proxy of language proficiency and sociolinguistic inequality.
We compare how native and non-native English speakers use AI-generated
output when writing job application cover letters. We find that both groups
rely on AI, but they do so in different ways, partly due to their
sociolinguistic backgrounds. Individuals who perceive themselves as having
lower writing skills are more likely to rely on AI for professional
writing; at the same time, they are also more likely to be affected by the
social and linguistic challenges they face. This study highlights the need
for specialized educational programs for disadvantaged populations and for
scaffolding approaches that strengthen foundational skills in the age of AI.

Bio:

Dr. Inyoung Shin serves as the AI Research Librarian at the UCR Library.
She holds a PhD in Communication from Rutgers University and an M.S. in
Computer Science from Yale University. At UCR library, she supports the
campus community by fostering AI literacy and providing specialized
research support. As an active researcher in the social sciences, Dr. Shin
investigates the social impacts of emerging technologies on interpersonal
relationships, information sharing, and workplace dynamics. Her work has
been featured in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, such as Computers in
Human Behavior, Information, Communication & Society, and Management
Communication Quarterly. She has also received recognition for top-tier
papers at the International Conference on Social Media & Society, the
National Communication Association, and the Central States Communication
Association. Her current research trajectory extends to generative AI and
HRI, with recent contributions appearing in the proceedings of the IEEE/ACM
International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction.
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Sponsored by the RAISE at UCR Institute, the AI Seminar Series presents
speakers working on cutting edge Foundational AI or applying AI in their
research. The goal of these seminars is to inform the UCR community about
current trends in AI research and promote collaborations between faculty in
this emerging field. These seminars are open to interested faculty and
graduate/undergraduate students. Please forward this email to other
colleagues or students in your lab that may be interested. After the seminar a
discussion will follow for questions, open problems, ideas for possible
collaborations etc.

Sincerely,
Vassilis Tsotras
Professor, CSE Department
co-Director, RAISE at UCR Institute

Amit Roy-Chowdhury
Professor, ECE Department
co-Director, RAISE at UCR Institute
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