In a time of rapid technological advancement, where artificial intelligence increasingly permeates many aspects of academic life, the landscape of creativity and artistic creation is undergoing a profound transformation. Earlier this spring, students from the University of South Florida’s (USF) Judy Genshaft Honors College demonstrated how they are leading this transformation by sharing their end-of-semester projects. These projects featured visual narratives composed using AI tools to enhance their creativity.
Led by Honors affiliate faculty member Dennis Mont’Ros, the students were part of
a new course that aims to reframe negative perceptions of AI and embrace its creative
potential.
Titled Electric Lit, the course allowed students to explore topics centered on storytelling,
visual communication, and the ethical use of generative AI.
“In order to get the most out of AI, you have to become an advanced practitioner rather
than a passive consumer,” explained Mont’Ros. “We wanted to incorporate artificial
intelligence into our creation of stories.”
CUTTING-EDGE CREATIVITY
Together, the class spent three-and-a-half months learning about and practicing the technology, ethics, and applications of generative AI. This included examining how large language and large visual models are trained, understanding AI biases and limitations, and considering the environmental impact of AI use. During the course, students practiced advanced prompting techniques and even learned how to create their own GPT to use as a study aid.
“AI can be really helpful,” said Electric Lit student Amy Yacoub. “And in this course, we learned to use AI for good.”
Throughout the semester, students also experimented with using AI to generate high-impact
community initiatives. In a group setting, students were tasked with leveraging AI
tools to tackle projects such as creating a nonprofit addressing climate change and
developing a plan for a net-zero carbon football stadium on a college campus.
The class culminated in a public display of final projects, where students shared
the graphic novels they produced with the help of AI. They showcased their comics
digitally and highlighted their creative and storyboarding processes.
At the heart of the course lies a singular mission: to empower students to unleash
their creative potential in the digital age.
Reflecting on the experience, Honors student Jazlyn Newton emphasized the importance
of innovative instructors like Professor Mont’Ros and the need for courses like Electric
Lit:
“I think it’s important to integrate AI into courses because it allows for the expansion
of ideas you already have.”
Created by: Skye Saunders
Created by: Hung Tran
Created by: Ben Murphy