Faculty Directory | Luke Barnes

Luke Barnes is a Senior Research Scientist on the Technology & Democracy program at NYU Stern's Center for Business & Human Rights, where he investigates the human rights challenges posed by social media platforms and artificial intelligence and helps develop and advocate for governance strategies to address them. His research focuses on the geopolitics of AI data center development, AI safety architecture, and digital radicalization pipelines.

Before joining NYU, Luke worked at the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), where he tracked digital propaganda campaigns with a focus on Latin America, Russia, and the exploitation of video games as a malign influence vector. Prior to that, he worked as a journalist and researcher covering domestic extremism and disinformation for organizations including the Center for American Progress, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and the Anti-Defamation League. He holds a BA from Columbia University and an MA from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University.