Jailine González – Journalism, Research & Technology

Hello everyone! It's Jailine González

I am a journalist, a researcher, and a computer scientist by training. I work as a data journalist and AI innovation lead at La Nación in Costa Rica, and as a research assistant at the University of Costa Rica. My work brings together communication research, computational methods, and journalism to understand how people, technologies, and institutions shape one another—and how these relationships transform the production and circulation of information and knowledge.

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My story

I started my academic path at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology, where I built a strong foundation in programming, data structures, and the technical logics behind digital systems. Later, I shifted toward communication studies and journalism at the University of Costa Rica, where I graduated with honors in 2026. I wanted to understand not only how technologies work, but also how they become part of media, culture, and everyday life.

Today, I combine both worlds. At La Nación, I work in data journalism and AI implementation, and conduct research on how people interact with AI-powered news products and how young audiences relate to news. Alongside this work, I am a research assistant at the University of Costa Rica's Communication Research Center, where I study how people incorporate generative AI into everyday practices and negotiate what counts as credible knowledge. I presented related research as first author at AoIR 2026 and have co-authored academic book chapters and manuscripts.

My path is about connecting technical expertise with critical perspectives on technology. Journalism and research inform one another in my work, shaping both the questions I ask and the methods I use to investigate them.

My Research

Drawing from my background in computer science and communication, I approach the study of technology and society through both technical and qualitative perspectives.

These projects include collaborative academic research, studies developed during my undergraduate degree, and applied research conducted at La Nación.

Domesticating AI: Everyday Reconfigurations of “Facts” in Costa Rica

Ongoing study that investigates how everyday interactions with artificial intelligence tools influence the way people in Costa Rica understand and redefine “facts.” The project uses a qualitative approach centered on participatory workshops and group discussions.

The Costa Rican “Clásico”: Media Discourses on Football Soccer

Study of how Costa Rican digital media construct narratives about the rivalry between Saprissa and Alajuelense, based on discourse analysis of articles from three of the most-read news websites (Teletica, La Teja, and La Nación).

Mediatized Memories: Constructing Temporality through Instagram Stories

This research examines how young users in Costa Rica experience identity and temporality through Instagram Stories, showing how rituals of sharing and archiving shape digital self-presentation. The project followed a qualitative design with observations, interviews, and focus groups.

Hashtags, Politics, and Public Debate during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Costa Rica

Content analysis of hashtag use in social media conversations during the COVID-19 crisis in Costa Rica, examining their role in framing public debate and political talk, and how these reflected broader social tensions.

Anime Consumption and Social Practices among University Students in Costa Rica

Research examining how the consumption of anime films shapes cultural practices, values, and identities among students of the University of Costa Rica. Conducted with a quantitative, non-experimental design based on surveys distributed to students in Communication and Digital Animation programs.

Communicating Science on Social Media During a Health Crisis: Scientific Profiles

This qualitative study examined how Costa Rican scientists used personal social media accounts to share reliable information, counter misinformation, and engage with the public during the health crisis, focusing on the profiles of Dr. Eugenia Corrales-Aguilar and Dr. Christian Marín-Müller.

Pregúntele a LN: UX Research on an AI News Assistant

UX research on La Nación's retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) news assistant, examining how people formulate questions, interact with AI-generated answers, evaluate sources, and develop expectations about trust and usability. The research combines interviews, user testing, and analysis of user–AI conversations.

Young Audiences, News Consumption, and AI-Powered News Products

Ongoing mixed-methods audience research at La Nación involving young adults aged 18–24, including readers and non-readers. Through surveys and qualitative interviews, the study explores news consumption, perceptions of credibility, and subscription decisions to inform the development of an AI-powered news product.