[Commlist] Call for papers: AI Agents and Emerging Social Relationships: Evidence-Based Perspectives on Human–AI Relational Interactions

This is a call for papers for a special issue of _Communication and 
Change <https://link.springer.com/journal/44382>_ on *AI Agents and 
Emerging Social Relationships: Evidence-Based Perspectives on Human–AI 
Relational Interactions.*

*Guest Editors:*
Dr. Jonathan Zhu, Chair Professor, City University of Hong Kong
Dr. Bolin Cao, Associate Professor, Shenzhen University
*Overview:*
The increasing presence of AI agents (including but not limited to 
chatbots and embodied conversational systems) is not only transforming 
communication practices but also reshaping the contours of social 
relationships. From intimate connections and caregiving roles to 
companionship and collaboration, AI agents are entering social 
relationships once considered exclusively human. As these systems become 
more integrated into our daily lives, it becomes imperative to ask: 
/What kinds of social relationships are being formed with and through AI 
agents?/
This Special Issue invites original research that explores the 
*formation, negotiation, and transformation of social relationships 
involving AI agents*, with a focus on real-world settings and 
empirically grounded approaches.
We particularly welcome submissions that, with or without an explicit 
theoretical framework, go beyond speculative discussion to offer 
*evidence-based and contextually grounded* accounts of how AI agents are 
embedded in everyday relational practices.
While human–AI interaction is inevitably interdisciplinary, we encourage 
contributions that *make clear conceptual, operational, or empirical 
advancements /within/ the field of communication research*. Relevance to 
human communication should go beyond merely citing communication 
theories; instead, submissions should engage substantively with 
communication-specific questions, perspectives, or frameworks.
*Themes of Interest (include but are not limited to):*
● AI-mediated intimate and romantic relationships
● Parent–child dynamics in AI-augmented households
● AI as companions, confidants, or caregivers
● Human–AI collaboration and co-agency in work or creative contexts
● Cultural, ethical, and affective implications of AI-sociality
● Methodological innovations in studying AI-embedded social relations
● Longitudinal or ethnographic insights into AI integration in daily life
We seek papers that deeply engage with the *specificity of human–AI 
interaction*, that articulate what is novel or distinctive about these 
emerging relationships, and that contribute to broader understandings of 
*psychological and social transformation* in the age of AI.
*Closed Workshop:* Authors of selected submissions will be invited to 
participate in a closed-door workshop in *November 2025*, aimed at 
fostering dialogue among contributors and refining manuscripts through 
critical discussion and peer feedback. This workshop will be held in 
person at *Fudan University*, and participation is strongly encouraged 
for authors of accepted submissions. Fudan University will cover 
*round-trip travel* and *accommodation expenses* for invited participants.
**
*Article Processing Charges*
Article Processing Charges (APC) is fully sponsored by Fudan University, 
Shanghai, China. No payment from the authors will be required.
*Important Dates:*
● *Extended Abstract: *Deadline -* August 10, 2025*; Length: 600–1,200 words
○ Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by *August 20, 2025*, 
and invited to submit a full paper draft.
● *Initial Full Paper Draft: *Deadline - *October 10, 2025*; Length: 
6,000–10,000 words, including abstract, keywords, main text, references, 
tables, and figures
● *Notification of Workshop Invitation: *Authors will receive 
notification by *late October 2025*, including whether they are invited 
to attend the closed, in-person workshop.
● *Workshop Participation: *Date - *Late November 2025*; Location - 
Fudan University, Shanghai, China
● *Final manuscript submission *(post-workshop, via journal system): 
Deadline - *January 15, 2026*; Submissions will undergo a blind peer 
review process.
● *Expected publication: *First half of 2026
**
*Submission Guidelines:*
Authors should follow the journal’s standard formatting and submission 
procedures. Please indicate that your manuscript is intended for the 
/Special Issue on /*/AI Agents and Emerging Social Relationships/* in 
your email subject line and cover letter.
Submissions (both extended abstracts and full papers) should be sent 
directly to both (_cac /at/ fudan.edu.cn) <mailto:(cac /at/ fudan.edu.cn)>_ and 
(_loniceralin /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(loniceralin /at/ gmail.com)>_.
*Contact:* For inquiries regarding the special issue or suitability of a 
manuscript, please contact Guest Editor Dr. Bolin Cao at: 
(_loniceralin /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(loniceralin /at/ gmail.com)>_.
*About the Journal:*
_Communication and Change 
<https://link.springer.com/journal/44382>_//(C&C) is a peer-reviewed, 
open-access international journal dedicated to advancing the 
understanding of communication in the context of rapid technological and 
societal transformation. With emerging technologies such as AI and big 
data reshaping communication practices, social structures, and media 
landscapes, /Communication and Change/ seeks to foster innovative 
research and theory-building that explores the dynamic interplay between 
communication and change.
C&C is published by Springer and is institutionally based at the School 
of Journalism, Fudan University. Professor James E. Katz at Boston 
University and Professor Baohua Zhou at Fudan are the journal’s 
co-Editors-in-Chief.
Note. Apologies for any potential cross-posting.

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