Paige Treebridge (Associate Professor, Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media) presented “Realistic Use of AI in Design Scenarios” at the AI in Teaching Symposium, May 31, 2024.

Professor Treebridge highlights the crucial role of AI in design education, preparing students for a future where AI tools are ubiquitous.

Treebridge underscores the rapid evolution of AI in the design field, noting that it’s not a passing trend but a transformative force. She observes that professionals are grappling with AI’s implications, making it even more vital to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge.

The presentation centers around the UXD 329 AI in User Experience Design course, which Treebridge introduced in 2019. Initially, the course adopted a broad perspective on AI’s potential future impact. However, with the accelerated advancements in AI, the course has evolved to focus on practical application and ethical considerations.

Treebridge’s approach can be summarized into three key areas:

1. Fostering AI Literacy through Diverse Perspectives: Students are introduced to AI from various angles, including readings that explore the ethical and societal implications of AI technologies. Treebridge uses texts like Ruha Benjamin’s “Race After Technology,” which examines how algorithms can perpetuate racism, and “The Misgendering Machines” by Os Keyes, which critiques the discriminatory potential of automatic gender recognition systems.
2. Encouraging Critical Engagement through Speculative Design: The course encourages students to critically examine the potential future of AI through speculative design projects. This approach involves exploring near-future scenarios through a critical lens, prompting students to consider ethical concerns. Student projects illustrate this approach: one examined AI’s role in dementia care in 2075, while another investigated the potential for AI-facilitated interspecies communication.
3. Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Treebridge emphasizes the need to integrate AI tools into design practice. Recognizing the industry’s dynamic nature, she highlights the importance of equipping students with practical skills that go beyond theoretical understanding. Her upcoming courses aim to address this by focusing on building user experience designs using existing AI-powered tools and exploring the ethical considerations of data collection and AI use in design.

Beyond specific course content, Treebridge advocates for open discussion about AI in design education. She stresses that equipping students to work alongside AI, rather than being replaced by it, is paramount. Her presentation encourages faculty and staff to embrace AI’s potential while fostering a critical understanding of its ethical implications, empowering students to shape a future where AI serves human needs effectively and responsibly.