Exploring AI and Art: Georgia Tech's Innovative Engineering Course

In an unprecedented fusion of creativity and technology, Georgia Institute of Technology has launched a pioneering course titled "Art and Generative AI," aimed at redefining students’ understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) through artistic expression. This course, initiated in the spring semester of 2025, is co-taught by Francesco Fedele, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech, and Mark Leibert, an artist and professor of practice. The course uniquely emphasizes the limitations of AI, advocating for the importance of human creativity in the artistic process.

The inspiration for the course stems from the observation that many students anthropomorphize AI, mistakenly perceiving it as inherently intelligent due to its ability to perform tasks such as writing essays and solving complex problems. According to Fedele, "AI can mimic human behavior but lacks meaningful engagement with the world." This disconnect echoes the philosophies of the 20th-century German philosopher Martin Heidegger, who posited that true understanding arises from our active engagement with the world around us.

The course structure is designed to enhance students' understanding of both AI and art. It begins by exploring foundational concepts in artificial intelligence, including the perceptron, Hopfield networks, Boltzmann Machines, and modern deep learning frameworks such as transformers. Each of these models illustrates different aspects of how AI processes information, ultimately culminating in technologies like ChatGPT. In parallel, students are engaged in artistic practices that challenge them to utilize AI ethically and creatively, ensuring respect for authorship and originality.

Fedele emphasizes that the course is not merely about using AI as a tool but involves a critical examination of its capabilities and limitations. "We reject the illusion that machines fully master everything and put student expression first," he explains. The course encourages students to embrace uncertainty and imperfection as integral to the creative process, allowing them to reclaim authorship by manipulating AI-generated outputs.

In a notable expansion of the course in the 2025-26 academic year, Fedele plans to integrate community-based learning by collaborating with local artists in Atlanta. This initiative aims to deepen the connection between technical skills and artistic practice, fostering a vibrant dialogue between students and the local art scene.

The relevance of such a course is underscored by the rapid integration of AI into daily life, often without a thorough understanding of its implications. Fedele asserts, "Our goal is to empower students by filling that gap, making AI’s inner workings clear and approachable." The curriculum is designed to illuminate how AI can fail and how these failures can be harnessed creatively. Through hands-on projects, such as using electroencephalography (EEG) headsets to convert neural signals into art, students learn to navigate the complexities of AI while developing their artistic voices.

The course also addresses the environmental impact of large AI models, educating students on the carbon footprint associated with AI technologies. This awareness is crucial in cultivating a generation of engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially and environmentally conscious.

As students engage with both the technical and creative aspects of AI, they learn to tackle pressing engineering challenges of the 21st century, such as sustainable urban development and health improvements. This interdisciplinary approach equips them with the confidence to think like artists and engineers, ultimately preparing them for a future where creativity and technology are inextricably linked.

In conclusion, Georgia Tech's "Art and Generative AI" course represents a significant step towards redefining the role of AI in artistic expression. By emphasizing human creativity and critical engagement with technology, it not only enriches the educational experience but also prepares students to navigate the complexities of an AI-driven world responsibly and innovatively.