Scene from The Future with AI workshop

Following the visit of Professor Yu Feng to VIA University College in Denmark last autumn, Professor Louis Thonsgaard, Head of VIA Film and Transmedia reciprocated with a visit to NUA from April 15th to 18th. During his stay, he conducted three international workshops targeted at the School of Design, the School of Media, and the School of Industrial Design.

This workshop, titled AI Art Generation - The Future with AI, primarily explored the potential of AI in enhancing transmedia creation. Professor Thonsgaard provided an overview of the current advancements in academic research and curriculum development regarding AI art generation at VIA Film and Transmedia. He shared insights from his participation in the MIT AI Application Strategy Workshop in the USA, where he highlighted various AI-generated content (AIGC) methods in both video and imagery. Professor Thonsgaard introduced concepts of AI agents and intelligent assistants and provided valuable recommendations on integrating these technologies into the future landscape of artificial intelligence. He encouraged students to adopt lifelong learning, engage in, and contribute to AI learning networks, and to approach the evolving AI era with openness. The workshop's Q&A session featured vigorous discussions between Professor Thonsgaard and students from diverse academic backgrounds, enriching their professional insights and educational experiences significantly.

Scene from the School of Design Workshop

Scene from the School of Media Workshop

Q&AScene from the School of Industrial Design Workshop

Professor Thonsgaard engaged in substantive discussions with faculty members from the School of Design, the School of Media, and the School of Industrial Design, deepening his understanding of AI integration in our curriculum. Following presentations by faculty representatives, he expressed high regard for the standard of AI-assisted designs produced by our teachers and students. He particularly praised the team's ability to seamlessly integrate Eastern aesthetics and traditional cultural elements with cutting-edge technological tools. Professor Thonsgaard is eagerly anticipating the release of four forthcoming textbooks and monographs on AI art authored by our university. Additionally, preliminary frameworks for future international collaborative teaching initiatives were laid out during these discussions, setting the stage for our participation in the upcoming Art Practice Week.

Discussion with academic staff from the School of Design

NUA's leadership places a high value on the development of interdisciplinary courses that incorporate artificial intelligence and other high-quality educational resources. This emphasis supports the fusion of art and technology and highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on artistic creation. The integration of AI into our teaching methodologies is an area NUA is committed to advancing robustly. By maintaining a leading position in technology, we aim to stay aligned with the rapid pace of contemporary developments, which is crucial for powerfully and resonantly expressing culture and art in today's world.

The Integration·Creation international workshop series is designed to provide our students with access to superior international educational resources, expand their global perspectives, and offer diverse international exchange opportunities for academic staff. This initiative not only enhances the international caliber of education at NUA but also plays a significant role in the ongoing dissemination of outstanding Chinese culture, underscoring our commitment to cultural excellence on a global scale.