Fostering public understanding of AI through education and design

Abstract

As artificial intelligence is integrated into our schools, homes, and workplaces, it becomes increasingly important to foster public understanding of AI. My research has explored two important facets of this issue—developing AI education initiatives and expanding existing AI systems to improve their ability to interact naturally with humans and foster understanding through interaction. Several design themes guide my work, including using embodied interaction, collaboration, and creative exploration to reduce intimidation and foster curiosity and learning. I will discuss my research investigating how to define AI literacy, and I will present several activities I have designed for informal learning spaces that can foster family learning about AI. I will also discuss how my research on developing co-creative AI systems can inform the development of more understandable AI systems. My talk will conclude with reflections on how education and system design can be leveraged to create more equitable, understandable AI in our everyday lives.