It's rare in our history that we encounter something truly new — but that just happened.

We humans have always had a monopoly on human-human communication. Now, there’s a new kid in town.

Suddenly, machines can make creative decisions on their own, producing everything from photographic and video images, to writing and music, computer code, dance notation, and architectural design.

As with human creators, quality varies, but that hasn’t stopped AI tools from racing forward in scope and sophistication, leaving us at a crossroads:

Will we shape AI to meet our creative needs and aspirations, or vice versa?

This feels like a perfect time to gather together to discuss, create, and debate, and to become literate in the new language of AI.

Goals of this class:

Get hands-on with the rapidly-evolving state of the art in creative AI technology, make new work in our chosen media, and reflect on how these tools impact our personal message-making.

Start a dialogue with AI tool makers, gain an understanding of their thinking and incentives, and influence them about how to make better tools.

Experience the work and thinking of creative practitioners currently using AI: writers, photographers, designers, artists, videographers, and coders.

Hear from editorial and legal experts about the new realities of ownership and authorship when AI is an active collaborator in the creative process.

Influence the future by preparing ourselves to play an active and influential role.

And finally, harness this technology to enhance our shared sense of humanity, rather than allowing it divide and isolate us.

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Feel free to share your feedback and ideas for readings, discussion topics, guest speakers, and projects of global significance.