AI Lab
The AI Lab at The New School is a hub for cutting-edge exploration, dedicated to fostering an environment of collaborative innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and creative disciplines. Embracing technologies like Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing, our aim is to intertwine the power of AI with fields such as design, social research, and performing arts, emboldening trailblazing initiatives to craft impactful solutions.
Our AI Lab facilitates a dynamic ecosystem, uniting faculty, students, industry and corporate stakeholders, startups, cultural institutions, and policy framers, to co-create AI-driven prototypes, applications, exhibitions, and performances. We champion curious exploration and interdisciplinary synergy through diverse academic curricula, AI-focused hackathons, public discourse, and scholarly publications. Our efforts hone in on the fusion of AI, user-centered design, immersive experiences, and ethical implications, striving to glean insights, envisage futuristic narratives, and deliver transformative AI-infused products and experiences. For more information and partnership opportunities contact Maya Georgieva, Senior Director, Innovation Center at maya@newschool.edu.
GENERATIVE AI WORKSHOP SERIES
Welcome to the Innovation Center’s AI Series
Discover the world of AI in the Innovation Center’s first AI Workshop series. In this first workshop, we will build the foundation by exploring AI’s origins, and gain insight into its potential future developmets. We will address critical issues like AI’s quality, its racial and gender biases, as well as other ethical considerations surrounding its use.
Thursday, September 14th, 3 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
ChatGPT 101: AI Workshop for Beginners
This week’s fast-paced AI workshop kickstarts ChatGPT. We’ll showcase real-life examples of how ChatGPT boosts productivity while discussing potential pitfalls like generating inaccurate information. Moreover, we’ll explore various ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content, such as intellectual property in the age of AI.
Thursday, September 21st , 3:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
Mastering Your Conversations with AI: Prompt Engineering
In this 60-minute online workshop, we will delve into the art of prompt writing to better communicate with AI in educational settings. The session covers the basics of prompt engineering and its practical use cases. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to craft effective prompts that optimize AI responses for learning and productivity. Attendees will learn techniques to craft effective prompts, optimize AI responses, and develop creative and even playful approaches to harness the power of AI to enhance their own productivity and learning experiences for their students. By the end, attendees will be better prepared to leverage AI’s growing role in education through skilled prompt engineering.
Tuesday, September 26th, 3:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
Mastering Midjourney Prompts
This week’s AI workshop will dive into the world of Midjourney! We will look at the fundamentals of Midjourney’s capabilities, such as set-up and the art of correct prompting. Additionally, we will gain insights into navigating crucial ethical concerns surrounding issues such as fake news generation and intellectual property.
Thursday, September 28th, 3:30pm, on Zoom – RSVP
AI and Academic Integrity: Challenges and Limitations of Plagiarism Detection Systems
In this session, educators will explore the challenges and opportunities of AI detection in educational settings. We’ll examine the effectiveness and limitations of current solutions and discuss ethical considerations, focusing on strategies to identify AI-generated content.
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
Advanced Image Generation with Stable Diffusion
This week’s AI workshop will add another AI image generator to our repertoire: Stable Diffusion. We will discuss the distinctive benefits of this generative AI, including its public and free code that facilitates greater control and experimentation. To conclude our exploration of AI image generation, we’ll also compare Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and Dalle.
Thursday, October 5th, 3:30pm, on Zoom – RSVP
AI and the Adobe Suite
This week’s quick AI workshop will explore Adobe’s brand new AI expansions. Starting in an overview of the enhancements across various programs, we’ll dive into Adobe Firefly, the AI for Photoshop. From generative fills to text-to-image capabilities, we’ll explore its features, while also addressing ethical considerations and potential challenges.
Thursday, October 12th, 3:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
Teaching with Generative AI: Faculty Stories
In this workshop attendees will hear firsthand accounts from pioneering educators who have integrated generative AI technologies into their teaching or research practices. These faculty members will share their experiences, discussing successful practices and challenges they faced when introducing AI-powered tools into their classrooms. Each session will feature 1 – 2 faculty members.
Tuesday, October 17th, on Zoom – RSVP
Build your own beginner-friendly Machine Learning program
In the grand finale of the AI series, we will create our own Machine Learning program. We will first get a basic understanding of ML by looking at various real-life examples, their benefits and challenges. Next, in a follow-along tutorial we’ll record, label, and train our own data using Teachable Machine. No prior knowledge is required.
Thursday, October 19th, 3:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
Exploring Ethical Questions: The Role of AI in Higher Education and Society
The rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is reshaping various sectors, and higher education is no exception. While AI offers unprecedented opportunities for enhancing teaching, learning, and research, it also raises pressing ethical questions that require urgent attention. This interactive workshop aims to explore the ethical dimensions of AI in higher education, focusing on critical issues like privacy, fairness, inclusivity, and authentic learning experiences.
Thursday, October 26th, 3:30 pm, on Zoom – RSVP
PRESS, NEWS & RELATED STORIES:
Unleashing the Power of ChatGPT/AI to Transform the Future of Education & Work – June ’23
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing various aspects of our lives. While we stand on the cusp of a new era, it is imperative for our university to understand the risks as well as assess the remarkable potential of foundation AI models.
Join us for an inspiring discussion on the untapped potential of foundation AI models and their revolutionary impact on education and work, hosted by Dr. Lin Zhou, SVP and CIO. Discover how transformative models, like GPT-3 and beyond, are reshaping the educational landscape and can empower our university community. From personalized learning experiences to advanced research capabilities, explore the limitless possibilities of AI models to drive innovation and propel our institution toward a future of educational and work excellence. A live code of foundation model applications will be demonstrated utilizing university data.
Speakers Include:
Dr. Lin Zhou, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Sven Travis, Associate Professor, Media and Design
Maya Georgieva, Senior Director, Innovation Center
Charles Allison, Associate Professor, Professional Practice
Shashwath Santosh, Product Design (BFA) ’23
Julia Daser, Design & Technology (BFA) ’25