Center for Information Integrity and Security

2026 Member Workshop

Building an AI Conscience? April 23-24

205 Lockwood Library

UB's Vice President & CIO Heath Tuttle sits down with co-founding Directors of the Center for Information Integrity (CII), David Castillo and Siwei Lyu, to talk about the mission of CII, what role universities should play in AI adoption and how you can spot misinformation in the age of AI.

Is Liberal Democracy Possible in the Age of Social Media

3/30/26

Video available on CII YouTube Channel

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The Center for Information Integrity and Security (CIIS) at the University at Buffalo is rooted in the shared conviction that accurate information is required for vigorous public debate within a democracy.

CIIS is devoted to the identification, amelioration, and combatting of unreliable information that pollutes the public sphere. Our members take on this existential threat from multidisciplinary approaches derived from fields as varied as history, literature, art, media study, information science, psychology, computer engineering, political science, geography, communication, law, and biomedical sciences.

Events

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2026 CII Workshop (4-23 to 4-24-26)
4/2/26
2026 CII Member Workshop (April 23-24)
CII Lecture Series: Is Liberal Democracy Possible in the Age of Social Media
2/17/26
Over the last twenty years, two significant trends have rocked world politics. One is the rapid global spread of connectivity through the internet, smartphones, and social media. The other is the worldwide decline of liberal democracy.
CII Lecture Series: Gillian Wearing, Wearing Gillian, and the Generative Theatricality of Deepfakery
11/10/25
Lindsay Brandon Hunter teaches courses in performance theory and criticism, devising original work, media and performance, dramatic literature, and practice-as-research. Her recent work focuses on AI and deepfakes, and on consent practices inside the university.
CII Lecture Series: AI and Us
10/16/25
A Conversation with Cynthia Tysick and E. Bruce Pitman
CII Lecture and Book Signing (9/18/25)
1/9/26
Five Lessons I Learned from Studying Thousands of Years of Falsehoods. September 18, 2025, 3:30-5:00 pm, UB Student Union 330
Can't Look Away Film Screening (6/25/25)
5/29/25
Join Community Health Speaks and the Department of Psychiatry for an evening of film and conversation. Can't Look Away is a documentary that investigates the dark side of social media and the devastating impact it has on young users. Directed by Matthew O'Neill and Perri Peltz and based on investigative reporting by Bloomberg's Olivia Carville, the film follows families who are fighting for justice and reform in the face of profound personal tragedy.
The Human Right to Truth and Truth Commissions (6-6 to 6-7-25)
6/9/25
The Human Right to Truth and Truth Commissions, Baldy Center Conference (6/6 to 6/7/25). The Center for Information Integrity is honored to sponsor the conference, The Human Right to Truth and Truth Commissions. The event examines how the emergence of the victim's right to the truth marks a revolution in the relationship between law and historical understanding.
Ophir-Five Lessons (3/26/25)
6/9/25
Five Lessons from Studying Thousands of Years of Misinformation (3/26/25)
Humans have never been motivated by accuracy. What's different today? Join us as Prof. Yotam Ophir explores misinforma,tion in the digital age. [Learn More]

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Member News

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Siwei Lyu Featured on Scripps News Discussing Real-Time Deepfakes
3/20/26
Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, was interviewed by Scripps News about the rapid rise of real-time deepfakes.
Jacob Neiheisel Featured in Newsweek on Trump’s Poll Numbers
3/20/26
Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, was featured in Newsweek discussing new polling that shows a decline in support for President Donald Trump among white voters.
Rohini Srihari Weighs In on Online Safety for Kids
3/20/26
Rohini Srihari, professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, was featured by WGRZ in a story about Kathy Hochul’s plan to strengthen online safety protections for children.
Yini Zhang Featured in USA Today on Federal Agencies’ Social Media Strategy
3/20/26
Yini Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, shared her expertise on social media and political communication in a recent USA Today article.
Prof. Siwei Lyu on the Future of Deepfakes
3/20/26
Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Empire Innovation Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, featured in an article explaining that deepfakes have advanced dramatically.
Professor Jennifer Read Awarded $3 Million NIH Grant
3/20/26
Jennifer Read, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has received a $3.019 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
CII Members Highlighted for Advancing Trust and Integrity in AI
3/20/26
In 2025, the University at Buffalo strengthened its leadership in AI and data science, with CII members and UB experts like Siwei Lyu, Rohini Srihari, Atri Rudra, and Karla Lellis shaping public trust, education, policy, and responsible AI innovation. They have addressed real-world challenges and impacted disciplines across technology, society, and governance.
Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: Heidi Julien
2/17/26
Heidi Julien, a professor of information science at the University at Buffalo, has received the 2025 Award of Merit from the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).
Prof. James Gardner on the Risks of Expanding Presidential Power
2/17/26
Prof. James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Law at the University at Buffalo, was quoted in a ProPublica article examining the shift in interests of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Prof. Siwei Lyu on the Rise of AI-Generated Disaster Misinformation
2/17/26
Politico quoted Siwei Lyu, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of CSE, in a story about deepfakes and manipulated digital content, including fake plane crashes.
Prof. Raj Sharman on Why Telehealth Fell Short in Some Communities
2/17/26
New research led by Raj Sharman, a professor in Management Science and Systems School of Management at the University at Buffalo, finds why telehealth did not deliver equally strong results everywhere during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Mark Frank Explains the Science of Deception
2/17/26
Mark Frank - Professor, Dept. of Communication College of Arts & Sciences, shares how his research on facial expressions and body language helps detect deception and debunks myths in an episode of Driven to Discover.
Prof. David Doermann Highlights How Empire AI Is Advancing Sustainable Agriculture at UB
2/17/26
Prof. David Doermann, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor and interim chair of the department of CSE, was quoted in a UBNow article about Empire AI’s growing impact at the University at Buffalo.
Celebrating the Scholarly Legacy of Professor James Gardner
2/17/26
Professor James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Bridget and Thomas Black Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law was honored at GardnerFest.
Prof. Rohini Srihari Leads Research on AI for the Public Good at UB
2/17/26
Rohini Srihari, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo (UB), is leading innovative research on how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to benefit society.
Siwei Lyu Examines How Deepfakes Are Shaping Public Perception
2/17/26
Prof. Siwei Lyu, a SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo, testified before the New York State Assembly to warn lawmakers about the growing risks posed by AI-enabled scams.
Siwei Lyu Examines How Deepfakes Are Shaping Public Perception
2/17/26
Politico quoted Siwei Lyu, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, in a story about deepfakes and manipulated digital content, including fake plane crashes.
Siwei Lyu Examines How Deepfakes Are Shaping Politics
2/17/26
Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor, was quoted in a Fast Company story on the growing number of deepfake videos featuring New Yorkers criticizing mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Jacob Neiheisel Weighs In on Trump–Greene Rift
2/17/26
The National News Desk quoted political scientist Jacob Neiheisel in an article about the dissent between President Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has begun to speak out against his policies.
Spectrum News Features Jacob Neiheisel on Rising Party Loyalty in Local Elections
1/9/26
Associate Professor Jacob Neiheisel, Department of Political Science, was featured in Spectrum which reported on how party loyalty influences local elections.
Jacob Neiheisel Featured in CBC Analysis on Cross-Border Political Advertising
1/9/26
CBC quoted Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of political science, in an article about the success of the Canadian anti-tariff ad that featured excerpts from a speech by President Ronald Reagan.
Jacob Neiheisel Featured in Newsweek on Zohran Mamdani Winning NYC Mayoral Race
1/9/26
Associate Professor Jacob Neiheisel, Department of Political Science, was featured in Newsweek in an article examining how Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race by leaning heavily on social and alternative media—much like President Trump.
Yotam Ophir on the Rise of AI-Generated Buffalo Bills Content
1/9/26
Associate Professor Yotam Ophir, from UB’s Department of Communication, was featured in The Buffalo News in a story examining the growing wave of AI-generated social media posts about the Buffalo Bills. As manipulated sports content becomes more common, Ophir explains why these misleading posts are spreading so quickly and why they’re increasingly difficult for fans to recognize as fake.
Deepfake Expert Siwei Lyu Featured in Popular Science
1/9/26
SUNY Distinguished Professor Siwei Lyu, co-director of UB’s Center for Information Integrity and a leading expert on deepfakes, was recently quoted in Popular Science in an article examining the risks of AI-generated wildlife videos. The piece explores how realistic AI-made clips of animals—often cute, dramatic or surprising—can distort people’s understanding of wildlife and even undermine conservation efforts.
Prof. Mark Frank – Invited Speaker on Deception and Technology
1/9/26
Prof. Mark Frank was invited to speak at the CCICADA Fall Retreat on October 31, 2025, where he delivered a talk titled “Deception, human behavior, and technology: Dispatches from the front lines.” In his presentation, Frank explored how security professionals work to interpret human behavior and identify deception, noting that while there’s no perfect “tell,” certain behavioral cues can offer valuable insight.
Prof. Rohini Srihari – Advancing AI for the Public Good
1/9/26
In a new episode of UB’s Driven to Discover podcast, Prof. Rohini Srihari shares how she is pushing the boundaries of what chatbots can do. Unlike everyday customer-service bots, her AI systems are designed to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Siwei Lyu Quoted in NBC News on Media Integrity
1/9/26
NBC News quoted Siwei Lyu, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, in a story about copyright and deepfake concerns with OpenAI’s newly released app Sora.
Siwei Lyu Featured in National Stories on AI-Generated Music
1/9/26
Siwei Lyu, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, was quoted in a Politifact story on the growing number of fake tributes from musicians and singers to the late Charlie Kirk.
Jacob Neiheisel Analyzes NYC Mayoral Race
1/9/26
The National News Desk quoted political scientist Jacob Neiheisel in an article about the New York City mayoral race among Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
Mashable Highlights Lyu’s Insights on AI Video Detection
10/13/25
Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and co-director of the Center for Information Integrity, was quoted in a Mashable article on how to spot AI-generated videos.
Jacob Neiheisel Quoted on MAGA’s 2026 Election Strategy
10/13/25
The National News Desk quoted political scientist Jacob Neiheisel in a story about whether maintaining their majority in the House or winning governorships is the priority for the MAGA movement.
Yotam Ophir Quoted in AP on the Next Big Thing in Online Community Building
10/13/25
The Associated Press quoted Yotam Ophir, associate professor in the Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, in an article about wplace, an online gamified map for artists to share their work.
Jacob Neiheisel on the Meaning Behind Zelensky’s White House Attire
10/13/25
The Wall Street Journal quoted Jacob Neiheisel, an associate professor at the University at Buffalo, in an article about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s outfit during his visit to the White House.
Professor Gardner on Trump’s Attempt to Change Voting Rules
10/13/25
Newsweek quoted James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Bridget and Thomas Black Professor in the School of Law, in an article about the election reforms proposed by President Trump.
Jennifer Surtees’ View on NIH Grants Being Back
10/13/25
The Chronicle of Higher Education quoted Jennifer Surtees, chair of biochemistry in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in a story about the reinstatement of NIH grants.
Jennifer Surtees honored as Innovative Teacher
10/13/25
In 2025, Jennifer Surtees was one of three recipients of UB’s Teaching Innovation Award, which recognizes faculty who use new teaching methods that drive impactful outcomes.
Neiheisel-Voter ID
8/25/25
Newsweek quoted Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of political science, in a story about the conventional political wisdom that voter restrictions harm the Democratic Party in elections. Neiheisel was also quoted by HuffPost in an article about President Donald Trump’s threat to revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship.
Ophir-Trump Attack
8/25/25
Yotam Ophir, associate professor of communication at the University at Buffalo, was quoted in Salon about the upcoming trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of trying to kill Donald Trump.
Lyu-Israel-Iran
8/25/25
Siwei Lyu, professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo and co-director of the Center for Information Integrity, was quoted in Jewish News regarding the spread of AI-generated disinformation amid the Israel-Iran conflict.
CII Members Named SUNY Distinguished Professors
8/25/25
Dr. Jennifer Read and Dr. Siwei Lyu, esteemed faculty members at the University at Buffalo, have been named SUNY Distinguished Professors — the highest academic rank in the State University of New York system.
Ophir Book
8/25/25
Yotam Ophir, associate professor of communication at the University at Buffalo, has released a new book titled Misinformation and Society (Wiley). The book takes a deep dive into the history, psychology, and social consequences of misinformation.
Castillo at St Joes
8/25/25
On April 29, 2025, Professor David R. Castillo (Professor of Spanish and Co-Director of the Center for Information Integrity) delivered a talk titled “Misinformation and AI” as part of the Ripples of Hope Eric Scott Pitman Lecture Series at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
Frank-Iraqi-Game
8/25/25
Mark Frank, a professor of communication and expert in nonverbal deception, was quoted in The Atlantic's article titled "The World’s Hardest Bluffing Game" by Jason Anthony. The piece explores the intense psychological challenge of mheibes, a traditional Iraqi sport played during Ramadan.
winter-on-trophy-wife-remark
8/25/25
In a recent article, HuffPost quoted Professor Kari Winter from the University at Buffalo’s Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies in response to former President Donald Trump's speech at West Point. During his address, Trump used the term “trophy wife” while talking about a real estate developer’s marriages — a moment many found out of place and offensive.
jan-6-rioters-jacob
8/25/25
Jacob Neiheisel, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, in a recent article by United Press International, said he is not surprised that some people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot are now gaining political support.
How AI Can Benefit Society
8/25/25
The Buffalo News quoted Jinjun Xiong, director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and Rohini Srihari,professor of computer science and engineering, in a column about how AI works and UB’s efforts to use AI for the public good.
Neiheisel-Proxy Battles
8/25/25
Political science professor Jacob Neiheisel of the University at Buffalo was recently quoted about both local and national politics. The Buffalo News sought his insight into the Mayoral race, while Newsweek and the Associated Press quoted Neiheisel about both AOC and Trump.
AOC Claps Back, Kari Winter Responds
8/22/25
Kari Winter, a professor of American Studies in UB's Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies, was quoted in HuffPost responding to a heated exchange during a recent congressional hearing.
Yoram Ophir Receives SUNY Chancellor's Horizon Award
6/25/25
Yotam Ophir, PhD, Associate Professor of Communication at the University at Buffalo among the inaugural class to be awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship. The honr awards early-career faculty research and scholarly achievements across SUNY's colleges and universities.
Jacob Neiheisel on How Trump Uses Humor and Labels to Divide
6/11/25
Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, was interviewed by two publications, Axios and HuffPost, about President Trump's use of mems and labels to diminish his opposition.
Melissa McCarron Uses AI to Improve Health Care for Spanish Speakers
6/11/25
Melissa McCarron, a clinical assistant professor of Spanish at the University at Buffalo, is finding creative ways to make health care more accessible for Spanish-speaking communities with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
Kari Winter on Srickland's CNN Moment
6/11/25
HuffPost quoted Kari Winter, professor of global gender and sexuality studies, in an article about Rep. Marilyn Strickland winning praise online for responding to CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings with a no-nonsense hand gesture.
Siwei Lyu Warns of the Dangers of AI-Generated Media
6/11/25
In the article, entitled “10 Little Ways To Tell If A Photo Or Video Is AI (For Now)”, Lyu, director of the University at Buffalo’s Media Forensics Lab, discussed how easy it is to be misled by manipulated content online and shared tips for spotting AI-generated images.
Yotam Ophir on Journalism’s Struggles, Upcoming Talks, and Book Release.
6/11/25
A recent HuffPost article discusses MSNBC’s shake-up, particularly the cancellation of Joy Reid’s show, highlighting broader issues in journalism. Yotam Ophir, an associate professor at the University at Buffalo’s Department of Communication, commented that while there’s no clear proof race was a factor, concerns are valid.
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Siwei Lyu Takes on Hollywood Role in G20.
6/11/25
UB professor Siwei Lyu, an expert in deepfake detection, served as a technical consultant for the upcoming film G20, starring Viola Davis.
Jacob Neiheisel Calls Out Hypocrisy in Zelenskyy Attire Criticism
6/11/25
An article, from HuffPost, discusses the controversy surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
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Marina Blanton Named One of 56 ACM Distinguished Members
6/11/25
Marina Blanton, an associate professor at the University at Buffalo, has been named a 2024 ACM Distinguished Member in recognition of her contributions to privacy-preserving computation.
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Heidi Julien on AI’s Threat to Digital Literacy
6/11/25
UBNow featured an article highlighting Heidi Julien’s work on the impact of AI on digital literacy. Julien, a professor of information science at the Graduate School of Education, warns that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are not true search engines and often generate incomplete or inaccurate results.
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Jacob Neiheisel Analyzes some conservatives call Trump 'Daddy'
6/11/25
HuffPost quoted Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences, in an article about how some conservatives have been calling Trump “daddy.”
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DeepCover Game Help Seniors Fight Scams and Misinformation
6/11/25
Cynthia Stewart quoted in Washington Post article about efforts to combat health misinformation targeting older adults.
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James Gardner Condemns Musk and Trump's Illegal Move to Dismantle USAID
6/11/25
Business Insider quoted James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Bridget and Thomas Black Professor in the School of Law, in an article about the legality of President Trump’s plan to ax USAID.
[Learn More]

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Partnerships

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Community Health Speaks
2/18/24
CII is proud to partner with Community Health Speaks, an initiative that has brought together a diverse group of individuals, including dedicated faculty from UB's Center for Information Integrity, Buffalo's key community centers, and residents from various backgrounds. Their mission is clear: to bridge the divide between the scientific community and those from historically marginalized communities.
Buffalo Museum of Science
10/11/22
A series of events organized by CII will be hosted at the Buffalo Museum of Science for a diverse audience including families. Topics from across the spectrum of mis/disinformation.
DART: Deception Awareness and Resilience Training
5/4/26
DART is a cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional, user-centered effort to develop games to help older adults recognize and navigate scams.
Education Collaborative of WNY
10/21/23
CII is partnering with the Education Collaborative of WNY to host a year long program with area high school teachers from Buffalo Public Schools and surrounding districts in collaboration with the News Literacy Project (NLP).
Connect with Us
7/10/23

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Unreliable Information in the News

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World-Class Researchers from 40+ Disciplines Seeking Socio-Technological Solutions to Combat Unreliable and Misleading Information

CII brings together renowned faculty from across the university to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the impact of unreliable information in key areas of public life including public health (e.g., vaccine hesitancy) climate change, and the integrity of democratic processes.

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Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter
4/18/24
Laurene Tumiel Berhalter, Associate Professor, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is Director of Community Translational Research. An epidemiologist by training, she has over 25 years’ experience conducting community-based participatory research and health disparities research to improve chronic disease self-management and cancer prevention among underserved communities.
Hongxin Hu
4/18/24
Hongxin Hu, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering. researches security and privacy, networking and machine learning. His research has been funded by NSF, USDOT, Google, VMware, Amazon, Dell and more. He has published over 100 refereed technical papers, many of which appeared in top tier journals and presented at scientific conferences.
Heather Abraham
11/20/23
Heather Abraham, Visiting Associate Professor , School of Law , is Director of the UB Civil Rights & Transparency Clinic, a litigation clinic dedicated to enforcing and advancing civil rights and government accountability, with a particular emphasis on fair housing, open government, and freedom of the press.
Shambhu Upadhyaya
11/20/23
Shambhu Upadhyaya, Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, and Director of the Center of Excellence in Information Systems Assurance Research and Education. His research focuses on protecting the United States’ infrastructure from cyber threats. That includes electric power grids, transportation systems, financial networks, military assets and water supplies.
Jeff Good
11/20/23
Jeff Good, Professor, and Chair of the Department of Linguistics, researches how language choice influences the way a message is received and whether its source is viewed as trustworthy. He is an active member of the UB Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
Heidi Julien
4/18/24
Heidi Julien, Professor, Information Science, focuses her research on digital literacy and information behavior. Her work seeks to understand how best to deliver digital literacy education to the public, including how to prepare and support digital literacy instructors, including librarians.
Mark Shepard
4/18/24
Mark Shepard, Associate Professor, Architecture and Media Study , is an artist, architect and researcher whose work addresses contemporary entanglements. His recent book, There Are No Facts: Attentive algorithms, extractive data practices and the quantification of everyday life (MIT Press), examines the uncommon ground we share in a post-truth world.