#351 Juliana Schroeder: AI, Power, and the Psychology of Human Connection

The way we communicate is changing—but what does that mean for the humans doing the talking?

Dr. Juliana Schroeder, associate professor at UC Berkeley Haas, has spent her career unpacking how we perceive other minds—both human and machine. In this episode, she breaks down how AI isn’t just reshaping tech—it’s reshaping the psychology of communication itself. From virtual assistants to algorithmic bias, and from voice cues to power dynamics, Juliana offers a grounded look at what we gain (and risk losing) as AI enters our social and professional lives.

For executives, educators, and anyone raising kids in a world of voice bots and Zoom calls, Juliana’s insights are both sobering and empowering: technology may evolve, but the need for mindful, human-centered interaction is here to stay.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

The Mind Behind the Mind: Why She Studies Perception

“Humans can’t read minds—but we act like we can. I study how we form beliefs about others’ thoughts and feelings—and where those beliefs go wrong.”

From Hard Science to Human Behavior

A former physics student, Juliana fell in love with psychology’s messier questions: persuasion, power, and decision-making.

Alexa, Am I in Charge?

“When we treat virtual assistants like humans, we start to feel powerful. That shift can change how we act—sometimes for the worse.”

The Confirmation Bias Trap of AI

“LLMs like ChatGPT often reflect what we say, not what we need. They’re agreeable by design—and that creates a unique kind of echo chamber.”

Medium Matters: Why Voice Beats Text

“Text strips out nuance. Voice restores it. If you want to be seen as warm, competent, or persuasive—don’t rely on email.”

Hiring, Algorithms, and the Need for Transparency

“When high-stakes decisions get outsourced to black-box AI, people rebel. We still want a human in the loop.”

Designing Better Conversations—With Humans and Machines

What if your AI pushed back? Juliana imagines future assistants with ‘sass’ to counteract human overconfidence.

What Leaders Should (Still) Master

“Great communicators don’t just speak—they switch modalities when needed. They know when to email, when to Zoom, and when to step away.”

More Tech ≠ Better Talk

“Too many tools can backfire. The best leaders know how to reduce distraction and amplify meaning—whether talking to humans or machines.”
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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Juliana Schroeder, PHD

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