Exploring AI Literacy and Creativity in First Year Curriculum
Generative AI: Learning from Professionals
What is generative AI? What possibilities and limitations are these new technologies offering young creatives in terms or word or image generation? To answer these questions, Integrative Seminar‘s students had the opportunity to learn about Generative AI from Asheley Gao, a former Google Creative Producer and Strategist. Gao now teaches in the BBA SDM program at Parsons Paris, and she took time outside of her usual courses to share her insights on the evolving role of Generative AI in the cultural industries and beyond.
During this interactive lecture, students were invited to consider the central role of language in developing new apps, and how enriching their competencies in this area would help them improve their prompt writing skills. One highlight? AI systems first struggled with seemingly basic tasks, like distinguishing between a Chihuahua and a blueberry muffin, something humans can do quite easily and with little energy. This example is a reminder that while AI is powerful, yet it’s not perfect, and humans play a key role in teaching machines how to “see.” From this example, the discussion revolved around the importance of language -finding the right words to describe images, figurative representations of abstractions, or textures- when training AI based on LLM (Large Language models).
Additionally, Gao shared some of the projects she worked on at Google Arts and Culture such as colorizing lost Gustav Klimt’s paintings using AI, written testimonies, and academic publications, or an AI to create fusion food recipes based on any country. From historically conscious missions to fun applications, the possibilities of generative AI seem endless!
When Generative AI Meets Human Creativity
Another focus of Asheley Gao’s presentation was a text-based app: TextFX. TextFX is a tool developed by rapper Lupe Fiasco in collaboration with Google Labs. This AI-powered platform supports writers, rappers, and wordsmiths in exploring language in new ways. How? Through 9 features, it proposes various ways through which AI can enhance creative processes. Meant to support and not replace creative work, it is a perfect example of how AI can be seen as a valuable tool for designers and artists. Overall, this presentation helped students think about ethically responsible uses of Generative AI in the context of the classroom and creative work.
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, AI literacy is more relevant than ever. In fact, Gao’s insights showed us just how much potential there lies between human creativity and machine intelligence.
When to use Generative AI technologies?
A few weeks later, Emmanuel Cohen and Axelle Kurban invited students to question when to use generative Ai technologies in their practice, and what are the consequences in terms of creativity, society, and environment.
Some of the questions discussed were:
- How to use Generative AI technologies in an ethical and reasonable manner?
- When, in the creative process, is it relevant to turn to these fast image-making tools?
- And how to remain in control of the outcome?
Adobe Firefly Workshop
Following Asheley Gao’s presentation, students attended a workshop on image generative AI. The workshop introduced students to Adobe Firefly’s features as a powerful ideation and sketching tool. It helped them explore the interplay of visual literacy and precise wording in AI image generation. Indeed Adobe Firefly is one of the newest apps available on Adobe Creative Suite, alongside PhotoShop or InDesign. As students learn how to use these software, it is important for them to see how visual literacy, sketching, or even their art history knowledge, can support their use generative AI. Key takeaways included:
- Understanding AI Tools – Differentiating between text-to-image, sketch-to-image, and generative fill.
- Hands-On Exploration – Experimenting with Firefly’s sketch-to-image, image expand, and reference functionalities.
- Empowering Creativity – Learning how Gen-AI opens new possibilities for artists and designers.
- Building AI Literacy – Discussing genAI impact on societal and environmental questions such as labor, copyright, authorship and environmental costs.
This workshop marked an exciting step in helping our students stay ahead of the curve as they navigate the future of design and technology. Stay tuned for more innovative workshops and events at Parsons Paris!
Conclusion: Towards an Ethical use of AI
Generative AI technologies are here to stay, there is no avoiding there ubiquity and practicality. Yet, in the First Year Curriculum, we believe that understanding how the tools we use work, and what are the potential impacts on the learners, society, and the environment are key. Through these workshops and continuous discussions between faculty, technicians, students and professional from the field, we hope to train students to become responsible users of these technologies and maintain high academic standards in art, design, and critical thinking.