AI Misinformation and Photographing Sites of Climate Change

Project Summary

I am seeking a Fulbright Fellowship for an interdisciplinary project focused on underrepresented groups or topics using artificial intelligence (AI) and fine art photography. The proposal aims to fight misinformation and more accurately present AI-generated responses for the Host while also creating fine art night landscape photographs at sites of climate change to bring more international attention to underserved communities. 

Sustainability, indigenous representation, marginalized topics and AI usage are worldwide issues, yet seem magnified here. Given that current AI responses are often flawed, lack fully nuanced answers, or are just wrong, my project will begin to optimize, augment, and correct AI-generated answers from Large Language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. This is a crucial and timely topic, and I believe I am at the forefront of this field (and is supported by multiple case studies). Instead of relying on complex computational processes, I have developed solutions that can be implemented with minimal technical expertise, empowering the stakeholders and community to take control of their own narrative and is perfect for community engagement. Secondarily, eerily beautiful fine art night landscape photographs will be taken at sites of climate change. Although both aspects of the project use diverse methodologies, the goal is to focus on marginalized topics and reach diverse international audiences. While these goals may seem ambitious, my experience gives me confidence that they are achievable.

As someone deeply passionate about leveraging technology and art to address critical global issues, I see the Fulbright Fellowship as an unparalleled opportunity to advance this mission on an international stage and as a way to connect the US with the Host. 

Objectives

This interdisciplinary project aims to advance AI technology by making it more accurate and contextually aware as well as create impactful art photography for about four months. This raises awareness about climate change and its effects on vulnerable communities. Through collaboration with local experts and communities in Canada, Denmark, or Iceland, the project will produce meaningful contributions to both technological and artistic fields. Importantly, it will teach the host and community leaders how to initiate AI augmentation on their own. This unique approach of combining AI with photography will provide new perspectives and insights, fostering a deeper understanding of climate issues and the role of technology in addressing them. The ultimate goal is to: bring more attention to these topics; engage with international audiences; expand ties between the US and host–all before things shift further.

Methodology

The research will involve a mix of qualitative, quantitative and creative methods. 

Identifying Key Terms and Topics for AI Augmentation (Weeks 1-2): Conduct a thorough review to identify key topics phrases relevant to climate change and marginalized communities. Collaborate with local experts to refine and expand the list based on regional issues and community needs. Select ChatGPT for the augmentation and enhancement process. The outcome will be a comprehensive list of several targeted terms for improved accuracy and contextual relevance in AI-generated responses.

Developing and Testing AI Process (Weeks 3-10): Refine the contextual understanding of ChatGPT and selected LLMs using content creation, search engine optimization (SEO) and in-platform feedback. Since LLMs produce some answers from internet sources, the proven process involves strategically creating and disseminating multiple targeted articles, photos, comments, and videos across selected web platforms (called online reputation management) with SEO. Having multiple people actively posting increases success and is perfectly designed for community engagement. Some advanced knowledge is necessary, but professionals, graduate students, teachers, researchers, creatives and community groups can do most of the tasks. While most of the methodology has been previously proven successful, it will undergo iterative testing and refinement, with feedback from local experts and community members incorporated at each stage. The outcome will be enhanced AI approaches capable of providing accurate and nuanced responses and documentation of development and testing processes for future research and replication.

Conducting Fieldwork in Photography (Weeks 11-15): Research, identify and visit sites of significant climate change impacts in the Host country, focusing on areas affecting marginalized communities and sites that are changing. Collaborate with environmentalists, landowners, community members to capture long-exposure fine art night photographs.The outcome will be a collection of eerie, beautiful and emotive images that raises awareness and fosters a deeper understanding of climate issues. The scope is flexible.

Organizing Educational Workshops and Seminars (Weeks 16-18): Develop workshop curricula in partnership with host institutions to offer hands-on workshops and seminars to students and local community members, covering technical aspects of AI and some artistic techniques in photography. The outcome will be enhanced skills and knowledge among participants, and increased engagement and collaboration between the project team and local communities.

Disseminating Research and Art (Weeks 16-18+): Plan and execute cultural outreach and international engagement. Engage through presentations, and collaborative projects, public lectures, small exhibitions, and interactive sessions to share project findings and artworks. Share the results in academic publications, conferences, social media, and local media outlets, some to be implemented post-Fellowship. The outcome will be broad international sharing of the results, increased public awareness and understanding of climate change and its impacts on marginalized communities.

Expected Results

The result is a method to correct AI answers for underserved topics. It will also generate a compelling collection of night photographs that visually capture the impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions, raising public awareness. Through workshops and seminars, participants will gain enhanced knowledge in AI and photography, fostering collaboration and building local expertise. The findings and artworks will be widely disseminated through publications, presentations and exhibitions, ensuring a broad international reach and sustained engagement beyond the Fellowship. Most importantly, it is a way to fight misinformation.

Importance

This project is vital. AI is growing exponentially, but it carries the risk of being mistakenly perceived as accurate, even though it can produce misleading or ‘hallucinated’ information. This is particularly significant for under-addressed issues. Additionally, climate change is having some of the fastest and most severe impacts globally. The Arctic and sub-Arctic regions are experiencing dramatic shifts in ecosystems and traditional Indigenous ways of life, making this project both urgent and necessary. By combining advanced AI and fine art photography, the project will spotlight these changes and importantly amplify the voices of Indigenous and marginalized communities, bringing much-needed international attention to their experiences. This initiative is crucial for integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate discussions, fostering local resilience, and contributing to global efforts on environmental sustainability and social justice.

Impact

The impact is sixfold: it will advance AI’s ability to address climate and social issues with greater accuracy, contextual sensitivity and misinformation; it will raise public awareness of climate change impacts in vulnerable regions through compelling fine art photography; empower local communities by amplifying their voices and providing tools for them to better control their narratives; will improve online reputation for the Host; help build the community around a collective action; and foster international collaboration and contribute to the global conversation on environmental sustainability and social justice.

Benefit to Host

The Host will be known as being at the forefront of new methods that address inaccurate LLMs answers. It not only helps communities in the Host but also has world-wide implications that helps combat online misinformation. Collaborating with faculty and students, I would contribute to developing cutting edge methodologies that could enhance the institution’s research profile and curriculum. I would offer workshops and seminars to expand participants’ skills in AI and photography, fostering a deeper understanding of how these fields can highlight international connections. My engagement with the local community would also strengthen the institution’s ties with its environment, promoting cultural exchange and global collaboration. Photo exhibitions extending beyond the fellowship will continue to share valuable insights and raise awareness.

Dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be multifaceted, ensuring broad and impactful reach. Some activities continue beyond the Fellowship. 

• Teach and document the process to others.
• Presentations, lectures, and visual displays at the host institution will facilitate discussions about the project’s implications.
• Public lectures on climate change will be delivered to engage broader audiences.
• International engagement will be fostered through collaborations and projects that disseminate findings globally.
• Joint studies involving local researchers and communities will extend the project’s impact.
• Local media outlets will be utilized to broaden community engagement.
• Cultural outreach initiatives will promote understanding and awareness.
• Live-stream process events and exhibitions, to further extend the project’s reach.
• Fine art exhibitions will be organized to showcase the project’s visual work.
• Educational workshops and seminars will impart techniques and insights to participants.
• Social media platforms will be leveraged to reach a wider audience.

Despite the aggressive schedule, my experience in similar projects gives me confidence in its successful implementation. 

Relevant Experience

My experience is diverse and spans multiple disciplines. I bring over thirty years of international experience in technology development, with a particular focus on online reputation management, where I have been at the forefront of the field. My expertise has been recognized in European and American publications and I am author of Holistic Reputation Management, a comprehensive ebook. Other related experience includes project management and implementation across the enterprise. As an exhibiting art photographer, my work has been featured in over 90 international exhibitions, included in various museum collections, and supported by multiple grants and artist residencies. I have also delivered numerous lectures and presentations. Each previous project includes three months or more of research into cultural background and historical significance, logistical planning, and additional months of pro-project activity, such as exhibitions. Active community engagement includes Technologists for the Public Good, three  photography organizations, and development of an interdisciplinary teaching initiative. Academic credentials include an MA from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program and an MFA from Yale University. I am flexible, open minded, listen, work well independently or as a group, and am endlessly curious. 

International experience includes:

• International Online Projects: Worked on diverse initiatives located in Europe, North/South America.
• Fulbright Alternate/Semifinalist: Gained insights into cultural exchange and collaboration during several previous applications.
• Grants to Greenland: Studied climate change and worked with local communities and experts for fine art photo projects in Greenland (twice)..
• International Grants: Received grants to The Netherlands, the Pyrenees, France focused on environmental sustainability projects.
• Study Abroad: Enhanced adaptability and intercultural communication as an undergraduate student. Also, as a high school student, I attended European colleges and lectures, gaining college credit as well as a passion for international engagement.

Interest in Fulbright

This is a unique time: AI is being integrated nearly everywhere and sustainability has never been more important. I see my project as a way to address both. International engagement and helping others are at the core of my proposal, and feel this would be impossible with the Fulbright. This represents one of the few opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives, contribute to meaningful academic and cultural exchanges, and build bridges between communities. The Fulbright experience would allow me to immerse myself in a new environment, where I can both share my knowledge and learn from the host community. Additionally, Fulbright’s emphasis on public diplomacy and the role of scholars as cultural ambassadors resonates deeply with me. I see this as an opportunity to represent the values and ideas of my home country while gaining insights that will inform my future work. Having been selected as an Alternate for Canada a few years ago, I am driven to connect with the international community and serve as a cultural ambassador. Ultimately, the Fellowship aligns with my long-term goals of advancing under recognized topics, and I am eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities it offers. 

My Benefit

The award represents the penultimate career achievement. Fulbright Fellowship would greatly benefit my professional growth and provide access to academic research, and local groups. Working alone, the proposal has gained minimal recognition. I need academic support, international engagement and a community setting for this project to thrive. It would facilitate academic exchanges, student collaborations, and new modes of dissemination, enriching the impact. The fellowship aligns with my mission to create meaningful change and would allow me to raise awareness about climate change and its broader implications–something impossible without the award. FInally, as someone who identifies as having a disability (psoriatic arthritis), I feel this represents an achievement for me and others with similar issues can relate to. Overall, the Fulbright Fellowship would enhance my ability to deliver high-quality, impactful work while also contributing to the U.S. by promoting international understanding, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Importantly, this seems the only way to spread the innovative solutions I’ve come up with.