The Future of Influence: People, Platforms, and Artificial Intelligence

UC Davis, May 14 - 16, 2027 

AI systems now curate what we see, help put our thoughts into words, and increasingly take part in our social relationships. At the same time, organizations rely on these systems to make sense of information about us, reach decisions that affect us, and steer which information and opportunities come our way. These shifts are unfolding in the very spaces where people form relationships, look for support, find entertainment, and organize for collective action. How is influence evolving, and how much power do people and communities have to shape it?

Communication Horizons 2027 takes up these questions by examining how communication shapes the ways we think, feel, and act, with special attention to AI’s widening role. Bridging research on cognition and emotion, relationships and communities, and platforms and institutions, the conference traces influence across health, learning, entertainment, and public life. We invite empirical, methodological, and theoretical contributions on established and emerging forms of communication, particularly work that speaks to the mechanisms behind influence, the conditions under which it helps or harms, and the ways its consequences for agency, safety, and well-being differ across people and societies.

Submission Guidelines:

We invite original empirical research, methodological advances, data donations, research syntheses, and theoretical arguments in the following format:

Extended Abstract: A 500-word (excluding title page, references, tables, figures) summary of the research. Empirical submissions should describe a project where data collection has been completed and should include a presentation of preliminary results. Works where data collection is in progress will not be considered.

Submissions may be invited as a research presentation or a poster. 

Submission Site

TBA

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027, Anywhere on Earth (AOE)
• Decisions: March 15, 2027
• Conference Dates: May 14 – 16, 2027 

Registration

TBA

Agenda*

All events will be held in the UC Davis Student Community Center.

• Friday May 14, 2027:
  • 4:00pm: Coffee and Refreshments
  • 4:30pm: Welcome
  • 4:45pm: Mohrman Lecture (Invited Keynote; TBA)
  • 6:00pm: Poster Session and Reception
  • 7:00pm: Catered Dinner
• Saturday May 15, 2027:
  • Invited Keynote (TBA)
  • Presentations and Posters
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Catered Reception
• Sunday May 16, 2027:  
  • Wine Tasting in Napa (Optional)

*A more detailed agenda will be released along with decision notifications.

Travel Information

Airports

• Sacramento International Airport (SMF): 20 Miles from campus
• Oakland International Airport (OAK): 75 Miles from campus (we strongly advise against this option)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 80 Miles from campus (we strongly advise against this option)

Airport Transportation

There is no direct public transit from SMF, OAK, or SFO to Davis. We recommend traveling by car (e.g., rental, rideshare). Depending on time of day, SMF is typically a 20-30-minute trip by car to Davis; SFO and OAK can take between 2-3 hours by car. The UC Davis Global Affairs Office provides more detail on getting to/from the Airport.

Hotels 

TBA

Parking

The closest parking lots are Visitor Lot 40 (Google Maps Directions to Lot 40) and the Pavilion Structure (Google Maps Directions to Pavilion Structure). Payment is required on Friday. You must download and use the Aggie Park App to pay for parking ($17.00). Parking is free on Saturday. 

Reception & Napa Transportation

TBA