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.
Source: Korea Times News
