Stony Brook Names Yvette Wohn to New AI Chair
The new department, backed by a $5 million state investment, will study how artificial intelligence reshapes creative industries, healthcare, and human relationships.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Yvette Wohn, the inaugural chair of the Department of Technology, AI and Society at Stony Brook University, presented a framework for analyzing the social and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence on October 16. Speaking at the Charles B. Wang Center during the Homecoming Thought Leadership Series, Wohn outlined how the new interdisciplinary unit plans to approach the study of AI's influence on daily life.
The department is supported by a $5 million investment from New York State. Wohn, who holds a master's degree in journalism from Harvard University and a PhD in Media and Information Studies from Michigan State University, combines expertise in technology and digital media with a background in communication. Her role focuses on connecting technology with the humanities, social sciences, and policy.
Wohn described a shift in the role of AI, arguing that the technology is evolving from a simple tool into a collaborator. She noted that while AI may displace certain roles, it also creates new opportunities in existing and emerging fields.
In the healthcare sector, Wohn explained that AI systems can analyze medical images to identify potential diagnoses. This automation allows professionals to spend more time on patient consultations and communication. She cited this as an example of AI supporting human workers rather than replacing them.
The presentation also addressed challenges in creative industries, particularly regarding intellectual property. Wohn discussed the 2022 controversy at the Colorado State Fair, where an AI-generated piece won a prize, sparking debate over whether such work constitutes art. She noted that many artists did not consent to their work being used to train generative AI datasets. Since that debate, institutions like the Whitney Museum and MoMA have featured artwork incorporating AI.
Wohn highlighted the growing use of AI in personal interactions, including the generation of realistic digital representations of people. She pointed to AI-generated music using the voices of deceased performers, noting that these creations raise questions about consent and profit. She observed that AI does not discriminate between the living and the dead in its processing of data.
The department will also examine AI companions, which simulate friendships, romantic relationships, and therapeutic conversations. Wohn cautioned that while these technologies may offer support to some, their influence on human relationships, especially among young people, requires further attention.
Wohn emphasized the role of academia in examining long-term consequences without the immediate pressures of commercial decision-making. She stated that the department aims to focus on critical thinking, communication, and experiential learning. She compared the current state of AI regulation to the pharmaceutical industry, noting that AI lacks an equivalent regulatory body like the FDA.
The Department of Technology, AI and Society will continue to develop its research and academic programs. The unit's focus will remain on understanding the relationship between technological innovation and human experience, with an emphasis on responsible development and design.
