Tuesday. Graphic arts. Fifth period.
The day's assignment: using Canva's AI, create a poster picturing the student in a future career. And then include information about that career.
(I'm not a fan of AI. And many students have expressed their dislike as well. The word on how the data centers steal resources has gotten out. But this is not my class, and my job is to execute the teacher's lesson plan. So, that's what I did.)
Some of the students dove right in, finding the right site and application. Most did not like that they had to upload a picture of themselves (as the AI would insert them into the career image), but they did it. (Well, not everyone. A bunch of them did as little work as possible. I'm sure their grades already reflect their lack-of-work-ethic.)
I walked around, making sure the students didn't have any questions.
One boy was staring at his image. It had him as an electrician. He didn't like it, he said.
I drilled down. What was the problem with the image? What could he tell the AI to do differently?
Turned out, the background was pink, and that was his only problem with it.
We found where one could "refine" the image by telling the AI what to change. He typed "get rid of the pink", and I pointed out he should be specific, so he added "make it white".
The AI replaced the pink background with a white one, changing nothing else. And the student was satisfied. Okay, then.
It was kind of eerie how the AI took their faces and put them into a real-looking work setting. This would be a great way to help students see a future that they might not be able to picture. But AI? Ugh.
Have you made images using AI? Did you complete the A to Z Challenge? Do you plan to attempt it next year?
Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...
I, too, am not a fan of AI. Although, I suspect that it's due to my old man "get off my lawn" kind of way. I do know the data centers have gotten a lot of bad press.
ReplyDeleteI do not use AI for images and will not, but then I do have something of a good eye for design. Having seen what other people design who don't have that gift, some of the AI usage in that manner is understandable. But the training of them has been unethical. Yes to the compete. Yes to next year (see you then). Happy Zed day.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the whole unethical training bothers me, too.
DeleteI don't use AI for images. Oh, I did once. A prompt for my favorite museum, but it had been remodeled since I'd been, with no postcards. I had Copilot make me one, and did include that in the post. I do use AI, Copilot again, nearly daily though, for researching images and background information on various thrifted items, and stamps. Dates of issue etc. I did all my A to Zs! I will do it next year, but only with one of my blogs. It is too much time and work to write 26 poems that for the most part get zero views, or lots of views and zero comments. I get to do a guest post on the A to Z site!
ReplyDeleteSorry your poetry site didn't get any comments. I never did make it over there. Researching images is much easier with AI, yeah, I can see that.
DeleteAI is a whole new world for sure. It will be interesting what we say about it 20 years from now. Like other technology, it's here to stay whether we like it or not.
ReplyDeleteI’ll be the outlier ~ I think AI is fun to use for images. Not talking about deep fakes or gross p0rn, but to create things like an otter birthday party or a tea party with kittens. I sometimes asked it for ideas on my A2Z as well. Not for the writing itself (ack no!), but for starting words…
ReplyDeleteI use AI mainly for research for instance, I will ask Alexa to research frying pan for me and find a good one or I might ask Amazon’s AI certain questions about something I’m trying to purchase. I will not knowingly upload an image of myself or have AI record my voice because you have no idea what that AI is then going to do with that. I would’ve been balking at that assignment for that very reason. Anyway, congratulations on completing A to Z. You kept to your daily themes very well.
ReplyDeleteThere was a student who didn't want to upload a photo, and I suggested that he create an image that didn't show his face (so he didn't have to). I don't think he attempted the assignment, though.
Deletethecontemplativecat here AI will continue to change the way people look at what gets done and how. It can be fun, but it is also scary. I will always question what I see and read, but now it will become harder.
ReplyDeleteI caught some AI slop on FB once, and it was a mess of a story that made no logical sense.
DeleteI've made a couple of AI pictures for Christmas last year but that's it.
ReplyDeleteIch benutze KI sehr gern um an meinen von mir erstellten Bildern Änderungen, Verbesserungen vorzunehmen. Störende Elemente entfernen ist dadurch sehr einfach geworden. 100 % KI generierte Bilder mache ich sehr selten.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of that. I can see using AI for adjustments rather than doing the whole image.
DeleteI created a 'painting' using AI and I wrote a post about the process and experience here. https://misadventuresofwidowhood.blogspot.com/2026/02/timers-cows-cliques-and-chili-week-in.html I found it somewhat frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI did complete the A to Z Challenge but I'm not sure about next year. But i have a full year to come up with a theme, so who knows.
Frustrating? Interesting. I suppose the more you know what you want, the less the AI would necessarily be doing it.
DeleteI don't use AI anymore due to the drain on resources. Crazy days, eh? Congratulations on completing the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI do make use of AI for various purposes and it does help much. Many of my A-Z posts carried images created by AI for illustration. I've sought help for gathering more information too.
ReplyDeleteYes, you label your images, which is helpful, thanks.
DeleteI don't like that AI is taking over. I'm sure it has stolen some of my images without my direct consent (TOS agreement fine print and legal misdirect words). But no, I haven't intentionally used AI for such a purpose.
ReplyDeleteNot that it matters, but I think it'd be better to cut out pics in a magazine and make a collage image of future self with glue.
Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun
I agree. There are better ways to do that assignment, but not my class, so not my choice.
DeleteI think one of the issue on A.I and social media. We don't cover enough on inter connections of one self. The soul or spirit of a person. I'm not talking in religious way.
ReplyDeleteAs AI is becoming part of the very fabric of how we do things in an electronic, modern world, it's probably good to know how it works, how to recognise it and to use the good while discarding the bad. Just like using an electric mixer in the kitchen instead of having to do it by hand :-)
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteFirstly Congratulations on reaching Z! I have enjoyed dipping into your A to Z - I thought it would be quite niche but you filled out your role as a sub most interestingly! (I have done a bit of subbing and teaching myself). I am not too anti AI, firstly it is a logical extension to the internet - I didn't like that Google switched to AI searches automatically but now i realise that what used to be a long procedure searching through many pages to find the nuggets of gold, is now a lot quicker and well linked. Then there is the cost to the environment and to communities. The latter needs ironing out with legislation - its obviously unfair, but, and this impinges on the environment, I heard of a town where the data centre was located next to the swimming pool and the cooling of one, heated the other and I am sure joined up planning could create similar opportunities...
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely ways that they can make the data centers work better with the environment. If the tech companies were more cognizant of this, I'd be less concerned.
DeleteAI is everywhere nowadays :/
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteMy high school students in Australia are also seriously pushing back on AI usage (I applaud the ones who are flatly refusing), especially on ethical and environmental grounds. I have had Year 7s tell me that they are offended that "tech" is telling them they can't be artists and would rather spend the time creating their own work even if it is less polished. I think the kids really understand the issues and hopefully the bubble has somewhat burst!
ReplyDeleteMany of the kiddos do understand. It's heartening.
DeleteEven our blogs use data centers. As do our banks, the grocery stores, all of the information that is passed along the internet goes through a data center. While AI may be getting the focus right now, as long as everything continues to move to the internet (like paying bills), data centers will be necessary. I use Ai sometimes and label posts and graphics as AI assisted. I am supposed to have a data center built about 1/2 mile from me as the crow flies. People are trying to stop it.
ReplyDeleteAs Frewin55 said, if they would just make better choices with the data centers, like finding more environmentally friendly ways to power them, they wouldn't be such a big issue.
DeleteHi Liz - I'm glad I don't have to worry about AI - though obviously I try and keep abreast with what's going on without stressing myself! I wonder how many of them will go on to those 'jobs' ... I'm glad many of them attempted the assignment ... love the Zhuzhing up AI - congratulations on finishing the A- Z - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAI … ugh. Right now I’m using an app that I hate. It’s a weight loss app where I’m chatting with an AI coach. It’s horrible but I need to use the app to qualify for insurance coverage for my weight loss medication,
ReplyDeleteThose AI interactions are not good. And can be dangerous. (See last week's John Oliver.)
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