How do human ecologists approach the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life? By asking thoughtful questions rooted in human-centered principles, and drawing from longstanding expertise in relationships, communities, consumers and design.
“Generative AI is no longer futuristic — it’s already transforming how people learn, work and solve problems,” says Soyeon Shim, Elizabeth Holloway Schar Dean, School of Human Ecology. “The question is: How do we understand and shape this moment — not just technically, but ethically and humanistically?”
While there is no map of how AI will shape the future, human ecology can offer a steady compass, calibrated to chart a path forward.
“As human ecologists, our focus is the art and science of everyday life,” says Shim, who also holds the Ted Kellner Bascom Professorship in Consumer Science. “In times of rapid change and uncertainty, it’s vital to anchor our decisions in what we know to be true. At Human Ecology, we have a wealth of understanding and expertise that can help guide us all along this unprecedented journey — with human thriving as our north star.”
Recently, all School of Human Ecology faculty and staff gathered in one room to share their hopes and concerns about AI and to co-create a schoolwide approach to the rapidly evolving technology that is already impacting teaching, research, outreach, communications and operations. Shim encouraged participants to “think boldly, act ethically and stay grounded in the school’s core principles.”
Kicking off a day of thought-provoking activities, keynote speaker Lucas Fitzpatrick, creative director and designer for Microsoft AI, presented a compelling look at the growing use and iterations of personal AI. This entirely new kind of relationship can act as an always-available, endlessly-patient tutor, guide, collaborator, coach and companion.
Fitzpatrick acknowledged that when it comes to AI, “we have huge responsibility to get this right,” and underscored the critical role of design. “It all comes down to design… and we need people outside of tech involved,” he said. “Designers of human systems are needed.”
Asserting that AI should “augment human connection, not replace it,” Fitzpatrick reminded the audience that it’s not if, but how AI will shape us.
In a moment when there are more questions than answers, one thing is clear: Human ecologists must play a leading role in shaping AI’s design and use.
Fitzpatrick invited human ecologists to consider three key questions:
- How can we study human relationships with AI across the lifespan?
- How can we shape the ecosystem around personal AI?
- How can we influence the culture norms that will evolve with personal AI?
Following the keynote, Lori DiPrete Brown, Civil Society & Community Studies distinguished teaching faculty, facilitated a spirited discussion with Fitzpatrick and panelists Esther Kang, assistant professor of Design Studies, and pediatrician Dipesh Navsaria, clinical professor of Human Development & Family Studies and outreach faculty fellow for the Child Development Lab.
The panelists explored key considerations for AI, such as the importance of healthy relationships for mental health, the powerful role of design and key aspects of humanity that must be preserved.
“Human ecologists are equipped to approach AI with method, rigor and a healthy dose of both suspicion and hope,” says DiPrete Brown, who also directs Global Human Ecology and 4W Women and Wellbeing Initiative. “The constellation of disciplines represented throughout the school uniquely positions faculty, staff and students to ask critical questions about AI that are rooted in the exploration of research and principles of teaching, and with the aim of keeping a human-centered equity focus, and optimizing the impact of the innovation on overall wellbeing.”
As the inaugural Human Ecology Imperative Fellow, DiPrete Brown is leading an exploration of how human ecologists can respond to contemporary complex challenges, including AI – locally, globally, and, importantly, at the human-technology interface.
Navsaria shared his concerns about AI’s potential impact on healthy relationships. “In relationships, we often use the idea of ‘rupture and repair’ [a temporary breakdown in connection followed by efforts to rebuild trust that can produce a stronger relationship] to engage and interact with others in our messy, imperfect world,“ he says. “That work needs to happen with other human beings, and I’m concerned that AI could reduce those opportunities.”
The School of Human Ecology is not new to considering and planning for AI’s challenges and opportunities. In fact, Human Ecology was the first school on the UW–Madison campus to recruit AI-focused faculty members as part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative, expanding its perspectives and capability to lead. Human Ecology is continuing to recruit top-flight faculty with interests in studying AI’s impacts on families, communities, consumers and design.
“My greatest hope for AI is that we’re better equipped to ask critical questions about AI, and that we also ask ourselves what it looks like to coexist with AI and other new technologies. I believe a human ecologist’s perspective is to first ask these questions: ‘Should this be designed?’ or ‘Should this be made? If so, for whom, by whom, and why?’”
– Esther Kang, assistant professor of Design Studies, who was recruited to the School of Human Ecology as part of the Wisconsin RISE initiative
Here’s a sampling of the many questions human ecologists at UW–Madison are considering:
Will generative AI eclipse original, human-centered creativity and problem-solving?
Design Studies faculty, staff and students are innovative creators who promote a multi-disciplinary approach to design. Original ideas from humans to solve human problems are crucial, but where does one draw the line between personal creativity and generative AI? As experts in architecture, web, fashion and textiles, human ecologists are at the center of exploring how AI can be integrated into human-centered design practice—not merely for efficiency, but to foster more innovative, meaningful, and responsive design solutions.
“I’m fascinated by the fact that humans are capable of developing tools to complement our own natural blindspots,” says Qi Yang, assistant professor of Design Studies, who was recruited to the School of Human Ecology as part of the Wisconsin RISE initiative. “This makes me curious and passionate about design tools, including AI. I consider AI one of the tools that can enhance the design process.”
Will AI replace essential human interactions, leading to social isolation?
Human Development & Family Studies faculty, staff and students are at the forefront of research that explores the intricacies and impact of human relationships. With growing AI use among parents, school-aged children and young adults, Human Ecology is poised to closely examine how human-to-AI interactions help or harm human development. Similar to how Human Ecology researchers study the impact of “screen time,” it is important to study AI’s impact on early relationships and to understand the effects of AI companions on child/youth development, as well as mental health. AI is already impacting families as the rapid adoption of AI has left a gap of understanding between young people and their elders, who may not be prepared to guide them in healthy use of the new technology.
Are there ways to sustainably and justly implement AI?
Human ecologists are concerned about AI’s use of scarce natural resources, especially water. Civil Society & Community Studies faculty, staff and students are leaders in food systems, Indigenous communities, environment and land, and many more specializations that focus on creating just and sustainable systems. Individuals, communities and activists will be crucial, not only to awareness and expertise, but to provide leadership and a strong equity focus to AI’s sustainability challenges.
Will AI become a powerful tool for some people while leaving others behind?
With tech companies set on winning consumers over with AI products, human ecologists are needed more than ever to foster a fair and healthy marketplace that promotes the well-being of families and individuals. Faculty, staff and students in the Consumer Science department are positioned to address key economic and policy opportunities (or lack of policies) related to AI. It is important to evaluate the regulatory dimensions of AI’s influence — especially in areas like personal finance, digital privacy, credit access, consumer protections and AI algorithms — and how they shape consumer behavior.
How can the human ecological lens help shape global conversations about AI?
Human ecologists’ work is not limited by geography, and neither is AI’s reach. While it is natural to focus on AI’s impact in Wisconsin communities, the school is driven to consider AI’s use and effects far beyond the state’s borders as well. Considering both local and global perspectives with a Global Human Ecology approach, human ecologists can examine AI’s effects on social determinants of health and well-being — creating scalable, lasting impact both locally and globally.
Opportunities abound
While many questions remain about AI’s long-term impact, there’s no doubt that AI offers countless opportunities today to innovate how we teach, learn, research, design and communicate. The School of Human Ecology is all in on shaping conversations around AI, and even the tools themselves — always with human thriving at the center. Faculty and staff aren’t doing this alone — the school is in conversations with tech giants like Microsoft and Google, as well as working with other schools and initiatives such as Wisconsin RISE across UW–Madison, a collaborative, multi-dimensional, human-centered approach to AI.
“For the School of Human Ecology, integrating AI is not simply about efficiency or novelty — it is about critically examining its impact, preparing our students to lead in an AI-enabled world and guiding the public through this seismic change in a way that helps people thrive,” Shim says. “By acting now, we ensure Human Ecology remains at the forefront of innovation and stays true to our mission of addressing the human-centered challenges of our time.”
This story is the first in a series exploring AI through the lens of human ecology – the challenges and the opportunities AI poses for individuals, families, consumers, designers, systems, communities and humanity.