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AI at Otis College

At Otis College of Art and Design we have long focused on preparing creatives for careers in their chosen fields.

Our commitment to student success includes the training of students in the tools and techniques that are prevalent within creative industries. In that spirit, we utilize artificial intelligence as a partner – one that expands what is possible while keeping human imagination at the center of every project.

With a recognition of the disruptive nature of AI and both the zealous embrace and intense resistance this can produce, we aim for a depth of understanding that allows creatives to know when AI will serve a project or process and when it will not. We emphasize a facility with relevant AI tools and a complementary awareness of AI and its impact on our environment, our communities, and our economy. This blend of art, ethics, and technology is essential for those who will lead through creative innovation.

We recognize that this is a period of profound transition and are committed to remaining thoughtful about AI as it evolves. This web page reflects our perspective as of today. The page, our institutional AI Philosophy, and our relevant policies will be continually reevaluated and revised to keep pace with the shifting nature of this technology.

A Responsible Approach to AI

Otis College is preparing the next generation of artists and designers to work confidently and ethically in evolving creative fields that are increasingly incorporating AI technology into the making process. We are integrating AI into our classrooms and studios as a tool for discovery, critical thinking, and innovation, never as a replacement for originality. Our community’s use of AI reflects the shared principles that guide our creative work: academic freedom, respect for intellectual property, and a deep commitment to personal authorship.

Exploration is core to the Otis experience. Faculty, staff, and students are free to use AI tools for inquiry, ideation, and experimentation, consistent with parameters established by the College’s Academic Integrity and AI Policy and course syllabi. Our commitment to academic freedom ensures that curiosity thrives while our commitment to responsibility maintains principles of human-centered authorship.

Academic Integrity and AI Policy at Otis

Respect for originality defines Otis. When using AI tools, students and faculty protect their creative contributions and the work of others. Data security and privacy are essential to maintaining trust, both in the classroom and across creative industries.

AI can assist in research and ideation, but the ideas, choices, and outcomes belong to the artist and designer. Students are expected to document and cite their use of AI, ensuring their own voice and vision remain at the forefront of each project.

What We Mean When We Talk About AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a new technology. Over the past 75 years, it has moved from a concept to an active and evolving subject of research and then to a collection of tools that quietly power much of the technology we rely on in our daily routines. 

Examples of AI Usage in Our Daily Life

  • Voice assistants
  • Navigation apps that predict traffic and provide recommended driving routes
  • Streaming platforms recommending shows and music
  • Email filters keeping inboxes clean
  • Smartphones unlocking with facial recognition
  • AI Chatbots
  • Social Media algorithms populating your feed and keeping you engaged
  • Text editors and autocorrect features

When we talk about AI at Otis College we are referring to Generative AI. 

Generative AI tools produce content in response to instructions or prompts that may take the form of any combination of text, images, voice, video, code, or data from sensors. This content may include images, audio, video, software code, or even complete applications.

For example, Generative AI tools can write papers, create still images and video work, draft syllabi, generate software prototypes, and much more. 

At Otis, we support the use of Generative AI tools in ideation, draft prototyping, improving writing, enhancing images and video, and expanding course materials and modes of instruction, when properly cited.

AI + Creativity: What It is (and Isn't)

Question: Does AI replace originality?

Answer: AI can support exploration, but originality remains the foundation of every creative practice. At Otis, AI can help amplify imagination – but never replaces it.

Question: Is it cheating to use AI?

Answer: When used transparently and cited properly, AI is a legitimate academic and creative tool. Students must learn to integrate it responsibly into their process, like any other medium or reference.

Question: Does AI make artists less valuable?

Answer: Creative fluency – including AI literacy – makes artists and designers adaptable and prepared for an evolving creative economy. Understanding AI and its appropriate usage allows Otis graduates to lead in current and emerging creative fields.

What’s Next: Initiatives Shaping the Future

Otis is building new pathways for students to explore AI across disciplines—from fine arts and product design to animation, game design, and fashion. These initiatives bring together creativity, research, and community partnerships to help students thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Otis College Campus Building

Technology and Innovation Center

We’re funding a new campus hub for experimentation in AI, XR, creative coding, and digital storytelling. The Center connects students and faculty with visiting artists, researchers, and industry leaders.

AI Fluency Curriculum

AI Fluency Curriculum

AI literacy is being woven across all Otis programs. Students gain hands-on experience with emerging tools and learn to evaluate them critically—skills that build their confidence and support career readiness.

Visiting Creatives and Residencies

Visiting Creatives and Residencies

Leading artists and technologists collaborate with students to create new work, share insights, and explore the ethics of emerging technologies.

Otis College Report on the Creative Economy

Otis College Report on the Creative Economy

A research program that provides annual thought leadership on topics related to the evolving creating economy including specialized research on AI and its expanding role in creative industries.

Creative Futures Summit

Creative Futures Summit

An annual event highlighting student and faculty innovation and showcases how AI and technology are reshaping art and design. Panels, exhibitions, and demos bring together leaders from across creative fields.

AI Micro-Credentials and K–12 Programs

AI Micro-Credentials and K–12 Programs

Through Otis Extension’s adult and pre-college programs, specialized courses and credentials allow learners of all ages to gain foundational AI knowledge and creative experience—broadening access to future design and tech careers.