AI in Higher Education and Fine Arts - Dr. Erika Wong, My Practice Playbook

Dr. Erika Wong is a startup founder, practising artist, podcast co-host, and lecturer at various institutions. Her research looks at the valuation and legitimisation system of the Art World and its relationship to the Creative Class, focusing on creative entrepreneurship and current technologies. Dr. Wong has worked internationally in tech, fashion, and art strategising. She is a Fellow in Higher Education and holds a Ph.D. in Business from the University of Brighton in Brighton, England; an MA in Creative Practice for Narrative Environment from Central St. Martins in London, England; and a BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.Website - https://www.mypracticeplaybook.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepracticeplaybookTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thepracticeplaybookKEYWORDSAI, education, chatbots, student support, creative arts, open source textbooks, prompt engineering, resistance to technology, teaching methods, academic standards, AI, prompt engineering, personalized learning, art industry, barriers to entry, artist support, mental health, creative process, self-advocacy, automationSUMMARYIn this conversation, Dr. Erika Wong discusses her use of AI in higher education, particularly in supporting students through chatbots. She shares her experiences teaching across various institutions and the challenges she faces in engaging students with AI tools. The discussion also touches on the resistance to AI in creative fields, the importance of making knowledge accessible, and the potential of open-source textbooks as a resource for students. Dr. Wong emphasizes the need for educators to adapt their teaching methods to incorporate AI effectively while fostering critical thinking among students. In this conversation, Sabrina Ramonov and Erika discuss the intricacies of prompt engineering, the role of AI in understanding diverse perspectives, and the importance of personalized learning. They delve into the challenges artists face in navigating the art world and how their startup, My Practice Playbook, aims to provide holistic support for artists. The discussion highlights the potential of AI to automate administrative tasks, allowing artists to focus on their creative processes.TAKEAWAYSAI can enhance student support through chatbots.Students may resist or be confused about AI tools.Textbook costs create barriers to student learning.Open-source resources can bridge knowledge gaps.AI's role in education is still evolving.Resistance to AI is prevalent in creative fields.Students struggle with prompting AI effectively.Educators need to experiment with AI in teaching.Critical thinking must be fostered alongside AI use. Prompt engineering can save time and improve efficiency.AI can provide multiple perspectives on a problem.Personalized learning through AI can cater to individual needs.Artists face significant barriers to entry in the art world.Understanding the art industry's expectations is crucial for success.Mental health and resilience are important for artists.AI can assist in administrative tasks, freeing up creative time.Self-advocacy is essential for artists navigating their careers.Resources like MyPracticePlaybook.com can help artists succeed.