91成人AV

By Melanie Cost

These days, it鈥檚 easy to internalize sensationalized headlines about the rise of AI in what feels like every facet of our society. Respected publications from The Economist to The Wall Street Journal have declared: 鈥淎I has hacked the operating system of human civilization鈥� and 鈥淭he most urgent question for the revolution unfolding before our eyes is whether we can keep the technology connected to our humanity.鈥� But how real are the fears, and what do they mean for STEAM fields? We sat down with Ron Edelen, assistant professor of graphic design, to explore the impact of artificial intelligence in STEAM and beyond.

First, a confession: In preparing for our interview, this writer brainstormed questions for a while and then asked ChatGPT for its take on the relevant topics.

As you might expect, its response was remarkably insightful, delivering in mere seconds what would have taken a human brain at least several hours of dedicated thought to accomplish. Among other topics, AI suggested that we talk about regulations that balance ethical considerations with supporting innovation, developing AI in a way that is inclusive and respectful of different cultural and social norms, and distributing the benefits of AI fairly among developed and developing countries. When it comes to preparation, speed and efficacy, it鈥檚 AI 1, human brain 0.

At the 91成人AV STEAM Institute, students are exposed to AI with the mindset that it is a means to learn and to discover. As Edelen explains, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the role of the next generation of creative individuals to direct AI and be a conduit for using it responsibly. For us, that鈥檚 less about safety and security 鈥� though they absolutely need to learn that 鈥� and more about teaching them when it鈥檚 right to utilize and when they just have to roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves.鈥�

He points to the 鈥渆xploratory accidents鈥� that can happen with language-generator models like ChatGPT 鈥� for example, a writer could combat a period of writer鈥檚 block by giving the model information about the target audience and a few general ideas 鈥� potentially being sparked by a new direction the model spits out. The model shouldn鈥檛 do the work, but it can provide inspiration.

In the arts, AI is infiltrating every discipline, from deep learning models like DALL-E that can generate visual art from language prompts (think ChatGPT for pictures) to film editing software that can read a script and automatically generate relevant b-roll from stock footage based on what the characters are saying. In 2022, the Colorado State Fair awarded its blue ribbon for emerging digital artists to a piece that had been created with Midjourney, an AI model that generates images from lines of text. Artists around the world are, understandably, looking for their place in a future where machines are capable of creating what, until now, has been a uniquely human output.

But as WIRED magazine reminds us, 鈥淲e have changed our collective tastes in response to technological progress in the past. We鈥檒l now do it again, without even noticing that it鈥檚 happening. And if history is any indication, our tastes will evolve in a way that rigs the game in favor of human artists."

Edelen further explains the basis for that hope: Inherent to the creative process is human emotion and abstract modeling 鈥� an ability to abstract complex experiences and then make insightful connections to other seemingly unrelated scenarios. One of the major challenges that Edelen points out is that 鈥淎I can absorb facts, but it doesn鈥檛 quite have the abstract model that our brain uses to determine things like what is potentially dangerous or what is potentially true.鈥�

And therein lies a silver lining. Amid the fears 鈥� legitimate fears, in Edelen鈥檚 mind 鈥� about AI-generated art and a lack of regulatory framework and perpetuation of misinformation and the loss of human connection: 鈥淭he future of everything really lies in the synergy of human creativity and AI-powered technology. Leaders and decision makers will be valued for their creativity and their problem-solving. It鈥檚 important to stay curious, ask human-centered questions, seek empathy and be a lifelong learner, especially as these generative AI models evolve into persuasive influencers and co-creators. So your instincts are constantly being challenged and empowered, then it鈥檚 up to you to go and connect the dots: What are the new insights? What are the new innovations? What is that abstract model that needs to be brought to the table to help lead and decipher and discern?鈥�

The answers to those questions remain distinctly human, and JU is providing the tools and space for students to explore them at its STEAM Institute. Edelen and his colleagues emphasize with students the importance of a distinctly low-tech 鈥� but critically influential 鈥� concept: the role of empathy in successful design. A designer in any discipline 鈥� visual design, animation, filmmaking, brand development, product design, even entrepreneurs and engineers 鈥� must be able to envision their end user鈥檚 experience. Without that understanding, the design goals and execution are flawed.

For example, one of the first assignments JU students encounter in the design thinking course requires them to spend time in the on-campus Starbucks observing customers and contemplating the 鈥渨hy鈥� behind their choices. As Edelen explains, 鈥淚t forces [students] for 30 agonizing minutes to look around and make opinions and observations about the world around them. That鈥檚 the first step to empathy.鈥� The second step, also part of the design thinking class, is to get outside of oneself. Edelen encourages this by asking students to compare the top 10 things they鈥檙e anxious about with the top 10 things the world is anxious about as evidenced by the front page of The New York Times. This type of empathy-building 鈥� the ability to remain human-centered 鈥� is a critical foundation for a world where co-creation with artificial intelligence is the future.

Edelen cites another reason that the STEAM Institute is generating such successful graduates: an emphasis on collaboration. Of all the institute鈥檚 high-tech spaces 鈥� the dedicated maker space, the 3D printing room, the state-of-the-art voiceover and podcasting studio, the new film set, the touch table for visual design 鈥� the most innovative space in the building for Edelen is the design thinking studio, consisting of tables and chairs, whiteboards and sticky notes.

The most innovative space is the most human space 鈥� again emphasizing the critical foundation of human-centric behavior that will be necessary to coexist, and thrive, in a world permeated by AI.

鈥淚t has no technology in it, but the innovation happens here because of the human engine that starts to come alive when you get people together and they start practicing how to ask the right questions.鈥� Students tackle 鈥渨icked problems鈥� (social and cultural problems that seem impossible to solve because they are complex and systemic) like climate change; or they brainstorm entrepreneurial ideas for the annual Dolphin Pitch, a 鈥淪hark Tank鈥�-style student competition awarding thousands of dollars to top business ideas.

This emphasis on empathizing and collaborating with our fellow humans to foster effective design helps contextualize AI as simply another tool in a designer鈥檚 toolbox. But as it gains prominence in the public consciousness and in the business of art, it鈥檚 a tool that the JU STEAM Institute is embracing for its possibility, teaching students how to use it effectively and 鈥� most importantly 鈥� responsibly.