Maria Lungu

Dr. Maria Lungu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration with a minor in Leadership from The University of Charleston. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Belmont University.

Maria is currently a research and team leader at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy (CAIDP). She was previously a legal consultant at Stepping Stones International and an instructor at Florida Atlantic University. Before that, she gained valuable experience working for the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office in Nashville.

Maria’s research focuses on the intersection of law, public policy, and artificial intelligence. Specifically, she examines the accuracy of risk assessment tools in criminal justice administration, emphasizing democratic principles of fairness and accountability. Her focus also includes the application of AI in policing and court systems, where she investigates AI usage to enhance decision-making processes, improve efficiency, and ensure justice. She also explores the sociopolitical implications of predictive policing in administrative processes and their impact on public opinion. Maria's work has been published in the Journal of AI Law and Regulation, the Review of Black Political Economy, Administrative Theory and Praxis, and the American Journal of Qualitative Research, among other journals.