On June 27, WKAR Public Media (East Lansing) invited viewers and the public to join the conversation with renowned experts and local artists at a special event as the station premieres the original short form video, “Pixels and Perspectives: The Intersection of AI and Art.” The film explores the intersection of AI and art, as well as the implications that AI has on the present and future of our society.

The free event was held at the WKAR studios on the MSU campus.  “Pixels and Perspectives” is produced in partnership with the NOVA Science and Society project and the MSU Museum.

The event showcased a live art demonstration by two artists: Marissa Tawney Thaler, renowned for her traditional techniques, and Mark Sullivan, leveraging AI through the CoLab Studio at MSU Museum. Both artists will create artwork inspired by a predetermined prompt, offering a unique blend of human and artificial creativity. While the artists create, guests participated in a panel discussion with experts in AI, public policy, computer science, and more.

The evening was hosted by Ashlee Smith, WKAR senior director of content and education.

"We are thrilled to present 'Pixels and Perspectives,' a fascinating exploration of the transformative potential of AI in the realm of art and beyond," said Smith. "This video not only celebrates creativity but also invites our community to contemplate the profound intersections of technology and human expression. We’re lucky to have NOVA’s support because it allows our amazing team of storytellers to tell the science-based stories that are important to our audience.”

Accompanying the art demonstration was a panel discussion featuring experts in AI, public policy, and computer science. Panelists included Anjana Susarla, PhD, Omura-Saxena Endowed Professor of Responsible AI at Michigan State University; Shobita Parthasarathy, PhD, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan; and Mohammad M. Ghassemi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Michigan State University. Together, they discussed AI's implications for society and the ethical considerations that accompany its advancement.