Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

2026

  1. Safe but Scripted: Uncovering Second-Order Bias in LLM LGBTQ+ Storytelling
    H. Lai
    In iConference 2026. (Accepted, in press). Expected publication: March 2026. , 2026
  2. "Please, don’t kill the only model that still feels human": Understanding the #Keep4o Backlash
    H. Lai
    In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’26). (Short Paper, Acceptance Rate:  8%). Currently conditional accept; CHI officially publishes in April 2026. Please use arXiv to read the paper for now. , 2026
    DOI arXiv

2025

  1. Can LLMs Talk "Sex"? Exploring How AI Models Handle Intimate Conversations
    H. Lai
    Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology. Acceptance Rate: 28%. Featured in MIT Technology Review , 2025
    DOI HTML

Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers

2025

  1. Curiosity, Critique, and Cultural Clash: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Post-Feminism and Traditional Gender Norms on Chinese Weibo amid Lisa’s Crazy Horse Show
    H. Lai, J. Liu, and R. Ding
    In International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, Jun 2025
    Best Student Paper
  2. Breaking the Silos: Unveiling the Power of Cross-Platform Research in Digital Communication
    H. Lai and Y. Li
    In Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, Aug 2025

2024

  1. From Self-Entrepreneurship to Industrialized Business Models: Unraveling the Digital Entrepreneurship of China’s Top-Tier Beauty Bloggers
    Q. Sun, H. Lai, and R. Ding
    In International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, Jun 2024
  2. Shaping Macau’s Image Through the Stride: A Weibo Analysis of the Macau International Marathon
    H. Lai
    In International Communication Association (ICA) Beijing Hub, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China, Jun 2024

Media Coverage

India Tribune · Research findings on #Keep4o movement
Feb 15, 2026
WIRED · Expert interview on Chinese ChatGPT users
Feb 13, 2026
Bloomberg · Expert interview on GPT-4o retirement
Feb 13, 2026
Gizmodo · Research cited on #Keep4o movement
Feb 13, 2026
IEEE Spectrum · Research cited on AI companion relationships
Feb 11, 2026
The Decoder · Research on AI model updates as social events
Feb 8, 2026
MIT Technology Review · Expert interview on AI chatbot intimacy
Jun 19, 2025