At the College of Information and Communications, Alamir Novin is examining one of the most pressing questions of the digital age: how artificial intelligence shapes the way people think, decide and learn. His research sits at the intersection of cognition, data science and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on understanding how AI systems influence human biases, decision-making and behavior 

Novin founded the AI & AGI Lab in 2023, where his team treats AI as a kind of “mirror” for studying the human mind. Using a combination of AI simulations, biometric data and cognitive testing, the lab explores how different AI systems subtly guide attention, reasoning and judgment. One key finding from this work is that AI does more than answer questions — it can shape how people frame problems and evaluate choices.

“Scientists show animals mirrors to study the brain’s self-recognition,” said Novin. “AI is an artifice reflecting samples of human intelligence.”

Novin’s research has practical implications across everyday contexts, from how people understand health insurance options to how AI chatbots influence conversations around diet and wellness. Novin’s work, presented at national and international conferences, allows researchers to vary AI “personalities” and search behaviors to see whether different systems change.

Beyond research, Novin develops tools that help students and scholars better understand AI. These include interactive platforms that explore how AI systems process information, environmentally efficient AI learning tools, and games that challenge users to train their thinking alongside an unbeatable AI. He has also created resources for USC students to test and improve skills like reading speed and comprehension.

Through his research and teaching, Novin is helping students, researchers and the broader public better understand not just what AI can do, but how it quietly influences the way humans think in an increasingly automated world.