Jose Marichal

Jose Marichal is a Professor of Political Science at California Lutheran University, where he specializes in studying the role that algorithms and AI play in restructuring social and political institutions. His work bridges political science, technology studies, and digital ethics, with a particular focus on how social media platforms shape political discourse and democratic processes. He is actively engaged in research, teaching, and public scholarship on the societal implications of emerging technologies.

Dr. Marichal currently serves as the founder and convener of the Rooted and Open Technology Initiative (RORI) at California Lutheran University, which explores ways AI tools can be deployed to promote creative, curious human beings grounded in ethical convictions. His work has been featured in various academic journals and public platforms including Tech Policy Press, Times Higher Education, and Democracy Paradox.

His primary research interests revolve around algorithmic governance, the impact of AI on liberal democracy, and the ethics of social media platforms. Dr. Marichal examines how algorithms shape what we see, hear, and think, exploring the unwritten social contract we have with these systems. His work investigates the paradoxes of digital identity, the politics embedded in technological artifacts, and the potential for alternative models of digital spaces that promote authenticity and autonomy.

Dr. Marichal's recent publications and presentations reveal a strong focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and democratic processes. His work spans from analyzing how social media platforms affect political discourse to examining the implications of AI for higher education and civic life. A recurring theme is the tension between technological determinism and human agency in digital environments, with particular attention to how algorithmic systems reshape our expectations of democratic participation and political identity.

As an engaged scholar, Dr. Marichal contributes to public discourse through multiple channels including his Substack publication, Twitter, and various media outlets. He has presented his research at numerous academic conferences including the Western Political Science Association, Midwest Political Science Association, and specialized workshops on AI and society. His upcoming book "You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem" (Bristol University Press, 2025) promises to make significant contributions to understanding our relationship with algorithmic systems.