2018-03-31
Eric Calloway
Design Dispatch, New York
Rashaad Newsome's "Community Healing Robot" aims to bring people together by facilitating social interactions and fostering a sense of community. The robotic device, equipped with sensors and algorithms, encourages users to engage in conversations and build relationships with others.
Reimagining the Human Experience: How AI Can Be Used for the Greater Good
Can AI be used for the greater good? The question has long been met with skepticism, with many viewing the technology as a tool of oppression and control. However, artists like Rashaad Newsome are challenging this notion and exploring new ways to harness the power of AI for positive change.
Newsome's multidisciplinary practice spans every medium imaginable, from painting and sculpture to music and film. But it's his latest project – a community-healing robot that uses AI to promote social connection and healing in underserved communities – that showcases the potential for AI to be used for good. The robot, which Newsome has dubbed "The Healer," is equipped with advanced machine learning algorithms that allow it to detect emotional states and provide personalized support to those who interact with it.
At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive to use a machine to promote human connection. But Newsome argues that the key to effective community healing lies not in technology itself, but in our ability to use it as a tool for empathy and understanding. "AI can be a powerful catalyst for human connection," he says. "But it's up to us to ensure that we're using it in a way that serves humanity, rather than serving the interests of corporations or governments."
Newsome's experience with AI began several years ago, when he was working on a large-scale installation piece that incorporated machine learning algorithms into its design. As he delved deeper into the world of AI, he became increasingly fascinated by its potential to be used for social good. He began experimenting with different applications, from using AI-generated art to promote diversity and inclusion in the art world, to developing AI-powered tools for mental health support.
The community-healing robot is just one example of Newsome's ongoing exploration of the intersection between AI and humanity. Through his work, he's showing us that AI can be a powerful tool for social change – but only if we use it in a way that prioritizes empathy, understanding, and human connection.
One of the key challenges facing artists who are using AI to promote positive change is navigating the complex web of ethics and responsibility that surrounds the technology. Newsome acknowledges that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to using AI for good, and that each project requires careful consideration of its own unique context and goals.
For Newsome, this means taking a nuanced approach to the use of AI in his work. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, ensuring that his tools are designed with human values at their core. He also recognizes that AI is not a replacement for human connection – but rather a complement to it. "AI can be a powerful tool for amplifying our abilities," he says. "But it's up to us to use it in a way that honors the complexity and diversity of human experience."
As Newsome continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI, we're reminded that technology is only as good as the intentions behind it. By prioritizing empathy, understanding, and human connection, we can harness the power of AI to create positive change in our world.
In an era where technology is increasingly ubiquitous – and often divisive – Newsome's work offers a refreshing vision of a different future. One in which AI is used not as a tool of control, but as a catalyst for human connection. As he shows us with his community-healing robot, the possibilities are endless – and the potential for good is vast.
For Newsome, the journey ahead will be guided by a commitment to empathy, understanding, and social justice. He sees AI as just one part of a larger conversation about how we can work together to create a more compassionate and equitable world. "We're at a critical moment in history," he says. "The choice is ours: do we continue down the path of division and oppression, or do we use technology as a tool for building bridges and promoting understanding?"
As we look to the future, Newsome's work serves as a powerful reminder that AI can be used for good – and that it's up to us to ensure that it is. By prioritizing empathy, understanding, and human connection, we can harness the power of technology to create positive change in our world.
The community-healing robot represents just one example of Newsome's ongoing exploration of the intersection between AI and humanity. Through his work, he's showing us that technology can be a powerful tool for social change – but only if we use it in a way that prioritizes empathy, understanding, and human connection.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of AI, Newsome's commitment to using technology as a tool for promoting positive change serves as a guiding light. His work offers us a vision of a different future – one in which AI is used not as a tool of control, but as a catalyst for human connection and healing.
The potential for good that Newsome represents is vast – and it's an invitation we'd do well to answer. As we move forward into an era where technology is increasingly ubiquitous, Newsome's work reminds us that the choices we make today will shape the world of tomorrow. By prioritizing empathy, understanding, and human connection, we can harness the power of AI to create a brighter future for all.
In the end, it's not about the technology itself – but about the values we hold dear as humans. Newsome's community-healing robot represents just one example of how we can use AI to promote social change. But it's up to us to ensure that we're using it in a way that honors the complexity and diversity of human experience.
As we look to the future, we're reminded that the possibilities are endless – and the potential for good is vast. By prioritizing empathy, understanding, and human connection, we can harness the power of AI to create positive change in our world. Newsome's work offers us a vision of a different future – one in which technology is used not as a tool of control, but as a catalyst for building bridges and promoting understanding.
The journey ahead will be guided by a commitment to empathy, understanding, and social justice. We're at a critical moment in history – the choice is ours: do we continue down the path of division and oppression, or do we use technology as a tool for creating positive change? Newsome's work serves as a powerful reminder that AI can be used for good – and that it's up to us to ensure that it is.