Stony Brook appoints Yvette Wohn to lead new AI and Society department

Stony Brook University named Yvette Wohn as the first chair of its new Department of Technology, AI and Society. The unit will operate with a $5 million investment from the New York State government. This funding supports research into how artificial intelligence reshapes various sectors of life.

Wohn presented the department’s goals at the Charles B. Wang Center on October 16. The event was part of the Homecoming Thought Leadership Series. She described a fundamental shift in how AI functions. Instead of acting solely as a tool or system, AI is becoming a collaborator in human workflows.

Her background combines technology, digital media, journalism, and communication. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Harvard University and a PhD in Media and Information Studies from Michigan State University. She plans to apply this interdisciplinary expertise to academic research and teaching.

The department will examine AI’s impact on industries including healthcare, entertainment, and the arts. Wohn noted that while AI may displace some jobs, it also creates new opportunities. In healthcare, AI can analyze medical images to identify potential diagnoses. This allows medical professionals to spend more time on patient consultations and communicating complex results.

Creative industries face specific challenges regarding intellectual property and consent. AI systems generate new material using existing data, often without explicit permission from original creators. Wohn cited a 2022 controversy at the Colorado State Fair where an AI-generated piece won an art prize. Supporters argued that directing AI is similar to an architect directing construction workers. Critics noted that many artists did not consent to their work being used for training data.

Cultural institutions like the Whitney Museum and MoMA have since featured AI-inclusive artwork. Wohn also addressed personal interactions and privacy. She mentioned a platform called Moltbook, described as a social network for AI agents. The platform features a check to prove users are not human. This feature prompted laughter from the audience during her talk.

The department will also study AI companions and digital representations of people. These technologies can simulate friendships or therapeutic conversations. Wohn highlighted the issue of using deceased performers' voices in new music. She noted that AI does not distinguish between the living and the dead, raising questions about consent and profit. The department aims to connect technology with the humanities, social sciences, and policy to address these issues.

Wohn emphasized that academia can examine long-term consequences without the pressure of meeting shareholder needs. She compared the current lack of AI regulation to the approval process for new drugs. The department will focus on critical thinking, communication, and experiential learning as key human values in an AI-driven world.