College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

By Skylar Christian ’25

Considering the impacts of artificial intelligence on society, University of Dayton senior Liam Row spent his summer in Washington, D.C., reviewing artificial intelligence policies and advocating for governmental oversight.

Row, a political science major from Fort Wayne, Indiana, collaborated with Daniel Birdsong, a senior lecturer in UD's Department of Political Science and coordinator of political science experiential learning, through the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Summer Fellowship program. 

As a public policy and regulation intern with cybersecurity firm Holland & Knight LLP, Row evaluated AI policies and policy proposals, met with policymakers, and worked with industry leaders to develop a policy recommendation for artificial intelligence.

“The research I am doing will have profound impacts on the larger community due to the potential of AI,” Row said. “There is no doubt that AI will grow more prevalent and has the potential to exacerbate socioeconomic inequality, racial inequality and opportunity inequality.”

As faculty mentor, Birdsong helped guide Row by asking questions in bi-weekly phone calls, during which they would bounce ideas off each other. 

“The world of AI policy intersects in multiple facets, from creating music to being used to write law,” Birdsong said. “The point of this research is to explore the policies attempting to regulate AI use. This is new, interesting research that needs to be done.”

This was Row’s third summer in the nation’s capital. In the fast-changing world of AI, he said being in Washington, D.C., was vital to his research. Row said the biggest challenge is that artificial intelligence falls under the jurisdiction of multiple federal agencies, all of which are attempting to regulate AI simultaneously.

Row proposes Congress pass a comprehensive AI bill to address major issues and clarify roles artificial intelligence companies and federal agencies should play in regulating and safeguarding the technology.

“Artificial intelligence has been at the forefront of political and legal discussion,” Row said. “It is not only the future of civilization, but also the future of the policy space.”

The project doubled as research for his UD Honors program thesis, which examines the potential successes and failures of current policy proposals.

The Dean's Summer Fellowship program provides undergraduate students a $3,000 stipend to conduct summer research in any academic discipline with a faculty member. Thanks to the fund, Row could focus on his research and work as an unpaid intern without having to worry about the cost of living in Washington, D.C..

As an aspiring attorney, this work helped to solidify Row’s interest in pursuing a career in politics and the law. Row was grateful for this opportunity and offered advice to other current and prospective students interested in the Dean’s Summer Fellowship program: “Pick a topic that reflects your interests and just do it.”