Stony Brook Spends $5 Million to Study How AI Changes Daily Life
New department led by Yvette Wohn will analyze AI's effects on jobs, art, and human relationships without focusing on building the technology itself.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Stony Brook University has created a new academic department dedicated to studying the social and ethical effects of artificial intelligence. The Department of Technology, AI and Society will examine how AI reshapes industries, creative work, and human relationships. It is backed by a $5 million investment from the New York State government.
Yvette Wohn serves as the inaugural chair of the department. She presented the department's goals during the Homecoming Thought Leadership Series at the Charles B. Wang Center on October 16. Wohn holds a master's degree in journalism from Harvard University and a PhD in Media and Information Studies from Michigan State University. Her background combines technology, digital media, and communication studies.
Wohn argued that AI is evolving from a simple tool into a collaborator. She cited healthcare as an example where AI systems analyze medical images to identify potential diagnoses. This process allows medical professionals to spend more time on patient consultations and communicating complex results. Wohn noted that while AI may displace some jobs, it also creates new opportunities and supports existing roles.
The presentation also covered the creative sector, where AI generates new material using existing data. Wohn referenced the 2022 Colorado State Fair art competition, where an AI-generated piece sparked debate over whether it qualified as art. She noted that cultural institutions like the Whitney Museum and MoMA now feature AI-inclusive artwork. A key issue is whether creators consented to have their work used in training datasets.
Wohn discussed how AI is changing personal interactions and privacy. She mentioned technologies that generate realistic digital representations of people, including AI-generated music using the voices of deceased performers. She pointed to recent YouTube uploads of Michael Jackson covers as an example. These tracks use a large database of his voice, raising questions about consent since the artist did not authorize the use.
The department also looks at AI companions, which simulate friendships, romantic relationships, and therapeutic conversations. Wohn cautioned that these tools may benefit people with limited access to services but deserve attention regarding their impact on human relationships, particularly for young people. The department connects technology with the humanities, social sciences, and policy to address these questions.
Wohn emphasized that universities can study long-term consequences without the immediate pressure to meet shareholder needs. She compared the current state of AI to new drugs that require FDA approval before public release. She argued that AI lacks a similar regulatory framework and requires participation beyond the technology industry to develop responsibly.
