Andrew Shea: Advocating for Ethical AI
Studying the use of AI in the creative community often brings up more questions than answers for Andrew Shea, an associate professor of integrated design and the associate dean of the School of Design Strategies. “How are AI tools changing us as people, as designers, and as a society?” he asks.
Shea is committed to finding ways to address questions like this one and helping people gain a better understanding of this rapidly evolving technology. “There’s a sense of urgency to decide how we’re going to use it,” he says. Shea recently developed
the Creative AI Magnifier, an online tool that raises awareness of ethical issues surrounding AI, including accessibility, transparency, intellectual property rights, data privacy, and bias. Users respond to a series of prompts, and the site generates
a visual representation of the topics most important to them. “I want to help people quickly understand these issues in an engaging way,” explains Shea.
To spur conversation and action around the use of AI, Shea and Sareeta Amrute, an associate professor of strategic design and management, created the Lab for AI, Ethics, and Creative Labor at the School of Design Strategies. The lab is designed to help students and faculty from across The New School come together to share knowledge, perspectives, and ideas about the use of AI and conduct empirical research on the ways AI is changing creative fields. “By engaging the New School community, the lab uses a bottom-up approach," explains Shea. It also reflects the social justice mission of The New School and reinforces its reputation as a forward-thinking institution. Although the lab was established recently, it has already held several events and launched studies on the topic. “This work will hopefully help lift up our students and the broader creative community at The New School,” says Shea.
Shea’s interest in responsible use of AI stems from his previous work promoting social justice and civic engagement. His book Designing for Social Change: Strategies for Community-Based Graphic Design focuses on using design to create
positive social impact. More recently, he taught a course on AI, ethics, and social justice with Jeongki Lim, the dean of the School of Design Strategies and an assistant professor of strategic design and management. Shea is also the founder and leader
of MANY, a design studio that partners with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and civic-minded groups on social and environmental causes.
Shea is eager to see where this new technology will take us in the future. “If I can help position us to weather the changes coming our way, then I’ll feel I’ve helped accomplish something meaningful,” he says.