Independent Inquiry Program students explore AI through research and creative practice

As emerging technologies continue to reshape creative industries, MIAD’s Independent Inquiry Program (IIP) gives students the opportunity to investigate their impact firsthand. Through philanthropically funded support, the optional, by application program allows students to pursue self-directed research projects that explore how new technologies can influence art, design and education.

Recent participants Edie Dembroski and Miles Heritsch focused their inquiries on different aspects of artificial intelligence, tackling questions that are increasingly relevant to creative individuals.

Dembroski’s research examined the environmental impact of generative AI, with a particular focus on how energy-use claims are presented and understood.

“I care deeply about placing quantitative data within context,” Dembroski said. “It’s very easy to say generative AI uses XYZ amount of energy, but that number doesn’t mean anything unless accurately compared to the alternative, manual workflows.”

As she worked through her research, Dembroski found that locating unbiased information was one of the project’s biggest challenges. She encountered conflicting claims from both supporters and critics of AI, leading her to dig deeper into the sources behind the data.

Heritsch approached AI from a different angle, investigating the evolving world of copyright law and intellectual property. Drawn by both the topic and the program’s self-directed structure, he set out to create a resource that could help artists better understand the legal implications of AI tools.

“The structure of the inquiry itself was intriguing to me because it is very self-led,” Heritsch said. “You have to make a lot of important decisions when things don’t go as planned, or you need to pivot your research to meet deadlines on time.”

He quickly discovered that researching AI-related copyright issues requires constant adaptation as technologies, court cases and regulations continue to evolve.

“Copyright law is a super interesting world for me, both as an artist and a researcher,” Heritsch said. “Intellectual property debates have so much nuance that [have] only been heightened by the rise in popularity of AI.”

His goal was to provide artists with practical information that could help them protect their work, understand their rights and avoid legal pitfalls when using emerging technologies.

Like Dembroski, Heritsch finished the inquiry with an even greater appreciation for the value of human-created work.

Heritsch said. “As I move forward in my industry with more knowledge of AI, I will stay true to creating … with my own human character and personality.”

Open to MIAD students across all majors and years, the IIP supports paid investigations into emerging technologies and other forward-thinking topics, helping students develop the skills needed to engage critically with the future of art and design.

Learn more about the Independent Inquiry Program and the types of inquiries available.