RISD president underscores human core of creativity in AI era

Crystal Williams, president of Rhode Island School of Design / Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University

Crystal Williams, president of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), underscored the enduring role of art and design in defining human identity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that creativity remains rooted in human emotion and cultural expression.

“Art-making, creativity and design are fundamental to defining our humanity, shaping how we connect ideas, emotions, histories and cultures,” Williams said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

While describing AI as a powerful tool, she noted its limitations, saying it can be harnessed with care and consideration but cannot independently generate human emotion or nuance.

Founded in 1877, RISD has long positioned itself as a pioneer in art and design education. Emphasizing its legacy of challenging conventions, Williams said the institution was built on the belief that art and design are essential to society and continue to shape new generations of creative leaders.

She also pointed to the broad societal impact of the school's global alumni network, which includes more than 33,000 graduates working across disciplines.

“Many of our alumni are actively engaged in addressing global challenges, including climate change, social inequality and emerging technologies,” she said.

It has also built a strong network of local alums, and there are approximately 150 Korean students currently enrolled at the school.

Her visit to Korea is focused on strengthening ties with alums and broadening engagement with partners across education, industry and the arts.

“This visit is about connection — deepening relationships with our Korean community and learning from a country that is a global leader in design, technology and culture,” she said, adding that RISD seeks to build more meaningful collaborations with Korean creators.

A view of Rhode Island School of Design's campus in Providence, Rhode Island, United States / Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University

As discussion grows around the impact of AI in creative fields, she outlined a clear view of the role of artists and designers, emphasizing that the technology cannot replace the core functions of art.

“AI can only produce a facsimile, while the human capacity to imagine, dream and create remains irreplaceable,” Williams said.

At the same time, she expressed optimism about AI’s potential in creative fields, noting that artists and designers are inherently early adopters who continue to experiment and innovate with new tools.

“Many artists and designers are already using AI in novel ways to support their work, and these developments point to a promising future for art and design,” she said.

Reflecting this approach to innovation, the school has been expanding its presence in Korea through industry-academia collaborations, particularly in the area of sustainable design.

Williams described Korean companies and institutions as valued and inspiring collaborators, noting that their emphasis on innovation and creativity aligns closely with RISD’s vision of building a more human-centered and regenerative future through design.

She cited RISD’s partnership with Hyundai Motor Group as a key example of industry-academia collaboration, highlighting its potential to foster long-term innovation between higher education and industry.

“Our partnership with Hyundai Motor Group has shown what becomes possible when higher education and industry come together in a spirit of shared curiosity and long-term relationship-building,” she said.

Through the Regeneration Studio collaboration with Hyundai, RISD has worked with Korean designers and researchers on biodesign projects tackling issues of global significance.

“We have been fortunate to collaborate with Korean partners as thought collaborators, exploring themes that are critical to society, culture and the future of our planet,” Williams added.

Emphasizing the vital role of artists and designers in an increasingly uncertain world, she described them as influential creative leaders shaping perspectives across societies.

“Through their work, artists and designers help us consider dynamic viewpoints, influence how we think or feel, and move us toward societal transformation,” she said.