Embracing AI in Education: A Necessity for the Future
By Jasmine Rose Federer; Creative Technologist, WPP
The rise of Artificial Intelligence is a reality we can no longer ignore, its deployment into the mainstream has begun transforming every facet of our lives, including education.
For students, especially those in STEM fields and design and technology, understanding and leveraging AI is crucial. Not only does it equip them with a competitive edge in an AI-driven future, but it also opens new avenues for creativity and problem-solving.
Growing up, I had the preconception that computer science and engineering was a career path designed for a certain demographic of mathematically inclined males. Even now, when you type 'Creative Technologist' into an AI image generator, it predominantly returns with images reflecting that same homogeneous group. We need to change this narrative. Encouraging young women, and those less typically represented within STEM fields, to explore tech is crucial if we want to build technologies that are inclusive and representative of all people.
Moreover, many of the jobs that students might aspire to may not even exist yet. The emergence of AI and technology automation in the mainstream will undoubtedly lead to a shift in the job economy, with new roles being created every day.
Now working as a Creative Technologist at WPP, I have witnessed first-hand how AI can be applied in the real and professional world. From enhancing customer experiences to analysing data and driving innovation in advertising, AI has become an indispensable tool in our work.
We work to push the boundaries of technology in ways that help facilitate more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable design, whilst spearheading creativity. The following are just a few of my favourite examples:
AKQA’s ‘Never Done Evolving’ campaign for Nike, saw Serena Williams playing a match against incarnations of her younger self using AI. Based on footage from when she won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 to her performance winning the 2017 Australian Open. Machine learning modelled each era’s playing style from decision-making, shot selection, reaction time, recovery and agility, before being re-rendered into an entirely new scene. Nike is now applying this study's data not only to improve their products' technology, but also to improve their athletes' performance across sports.
With my background in the arts, one of my favourite applications of AI was the Ogilvy to Nestle ‘Milkmaid’ ad which sought to use DALLE-2 to expand a famous Vermeer painting. Serving as one of the first examples of leveraging the capacities of AI image outpainting, it also serves as a reminder of how far we have come in disseminating these kind of tools on a larger public scale in what feels like a very short space of time.
'I Will Always Be Me' is a voice banking technology developed by VMLY&R for people diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. This technology allows patients to record their voice, which can then be used to communicate even after they've lost their ability to speak.
AI and the future of robotics is an exciting juncture which relies on imagery captured from our Boston Dynamics robot dog, Spot, before being composited into a virtual copy using our NVIDIA powered AI content engine. This can not only be a lot more convenient not having to rely on environmental factors such as weather and lighting to be on your side but the sustainability aspect – combat the footprint that would otherwise be necessary to shoot a large automotive campaign ad with numerous takes and damage to ecosystems.
Another creative use of AI from WPP is the 'Remastered Memories' project, for the True Patriot Love Foundation, which involved transforming the lost letters of veterans into vivid paintings of war to keep memories alive for future generations. Using AI, we restored and colourised old military photos for Canadian veterans and their families. This initiative provided a new way to remember and honour the service of these veterans.
We are at a very exciting place in history. The more perspectives involved in the conversation about AI, the more inclusive our future can be. Students are our future voices, and their curiosity, their questions, and their refusal to accept things at face value are what will drive innovation and progress in AI. Systems which have enormous horsepower are only as good as the people who steer it. By embracing AI in education, we can prepare our students for a future where AI is not just a tool, but a co-pilot in their journey of learning and discovery.
Jasmine Rose Federer is a designer whose work encompasses mediums such as generative AI, machine learning, creative coding, 3D, virtual production, game engines, and XR. Following a year on WPP’s Creative Technology Apprenticeship programme, she is working between the WPP agencies positioned as an Experiential Creative at Hogarth, whilst working on a Generative AI Lab for L’Oréal with Ogilvy in Paris. Jasmine has lead a Generative AI workshop for the Founders Forum at Soho Farmhouse, as well as hosting lectures at University of the Arts London. Jasmine has a passion for getting young women involved in STEM and has been part of to panel discussions varying from Google Headquarters, and the WPP Beach at Cannes Lions.
