Ashton Anderson

Professor Ashton Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Computational Social Science Lab. His research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data, and society, focusing on how AI systems interact with human behavior, social processes, and online platforms. His work combines computational methods, large-scale data analysis, and experimental approaches to study topics such as human–AI collaboration, appropriate reliance on large language models, online public discourse, creativity in the age of AI, and evaluation of AI systems in real-world settings. He has published influential research in leading venues including CHI, NeurIPS, ACL, WWW, ICWSM, ICLR, and HCOMP, often using mixed methods that integrate machine learning with social science perspectives. Prior to joining the University of Toronto, Professor Anderson was a postdoctoral researcher at Microsoft Research in New York City. His research contributes to a deeper understanding of how AI systems shape—and are shaped by—human decision-making and social dynamics.