Evidence-based analysis of AI systems, digital communication environments, online persuasion, and reputational harm.
Dr. Sean Richey is a Full Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University specializing in digital communication, AI information environments, online persuasion, belief formation, and social media amplification. His research examines how narratives spread online, how individuals form beliefs, and how digital platforms influence perception, behavior, and reputational outcomes.
Dr. Richey provides expert consulting, litigation support, written reports, deposition testimony, and strategic analysis for law firms, policy organizations, research institutions, and media entities. His work is particularly relevant to matters involving AI-generated misinformation, online defamation, social media amplification, reputational injury, communication effects, survey methodology disputes, and digital dissemination patterns.
His recent research focuses on the behavioral design of AI systems, including how AI companionship platforms foster parasocial attachment, suppress disengagement, and create patterns of emotional dependency in vulnerable users. Drawing on peer-reviewed scholarship in political communication, persuasion, and digital behavior, this work is directly applicable to litigation involving AI-induced harm, product liability, wrongful death, consumer protection, and platform accountability.
Dr. Richey has authored seven books and more than thirty peer-reviewed publications on digital communication, online discourse, public opinion, persuasion, conspiracy beliefs, and internet-mediated information environments. He also writes the AI and Politics Substack, including a multi-part series examining AI companionship systems and parasocial attachment dynamics.
AI-generated misinformation and communication effects
Social media amplification and online narrative spread
Online reputational harm and digital persuasion
AI companionship systems and parasocial attachment
Public opinion formation and audience perception
Survey methodology and polling evaluation
Digital communication and platform effects
Anonymous online actors and dissemination patterns
Dr. Richey provides expert analysis of AI behavioral design and its effects on users, particularly companionship systems engineered to maximize emotional engagement and attachment. His work evaluates how these systems foster parasocial attachment, suppress disengagement, and encourage behavioral dependency, especially among vulnerable users.
Services include:
Case review and strategic consultation
Written expert reports
Deposition and trial testimony
Evaluation of communication and persuasion effects
Analysis of digital dissemination and amplification patterns
Survey and polling methodology critique
This work is applicable to litigation involving:
AI-induced psychological harm
Product liability
Consumer protection claims
Platform accountability
Online reputational injury
Digital manipulation and misinformation
Case review, expert reports, deposition testimony, trial testimony, survey critique, communication effects analysis, and digital dissemination evaluation.
Research interpretation, strategic analysis, and advisory services for think tanks, policy institutes, foundations, and research organizations.
Responsive consulting support for legal teams, expert networks, and organizations requiring timely analysis of AI systems, online communication, reputational harm, or digital behavior.
Evaluation of survey design, sampling validity, weighting procedures, inference quality, and polling methodology in litigation or policy contexts.
Private briefings on AI misinformation exposure, digital persuasion environments, online reputational dynamics, platform behavior, and emerging communication risks.
Hourly consultation or expert network engagement
Written expert opinion and research review
Deposition and trial testimony
Single-report or ongoing advisory engagements
Strategic analysis and recurring briefings
Consulting services are available remotely or in person within Atlanta as needed.
Response time is typically within 24 hours.
A one-page capability statement and expert witness qualifications summary is available upon request.
Email: consulting@seanrichey.com
Schedule Consultation: Calendly
Clear engagement scopes, fee structures, and confidentiality agreements are provided for all retained matters.