From the Light Talk Desk

The revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on lighting education takes centre stage in this thought-provoking conversation with Phil and Daniel from BHA School of Lighting. As pioneers in online lighting education since 2017, they offer unique insights into how AI is transforming both learning methodologies and the lighting profession itself.

When students began submitting suspiciously polished assignments with distinctive AI fingerprints, the educators faced a critical question: Is AI a valuable learning tool or a shortcut that undermines genuine education? The answer proves far more nuanced than expected. While some universities have embraced unrestricted AI use, BHA takes a more measured approach, implementing a 15% grade penalty for AI-generated work that lacks proper integration with course materials. Surprisingly, not a single student has contested these penalties.

The conversation reveals concerning research from MIT Media Lab showing students using AI for academic tasks demonstrate up to 55% less brain activity in areas related to creativity, memory, and semantic processing. As Daniel aptly puts it, "AI is not going to remember for you." This raises profound questions about skill development in an AI-assisted world. How will the next generation of lighting designers develop the intuition that comes from years of hands-on experience?

For lighting professionals, the implications extend beyond education. While AI excels at generating impressive concept renders and streamlining documentation, it falls short in understanding the emotional and practical nuances of lighting. The educators share fascinating examples of using Midjourney to animate Relux lighting designs, while emphasising that AI cannot replicate the human sensitivity needed to create truly exceptional lighting experiences.

Whether you're a lighting professional curious about integrating AI into your workflow or an educator navigating this technological revolution, this episode offers valuable perspective on finding balance. As Phil concludes, we must embrace AI as a companion rather than a replacement – understanding its capabilities and limitations while preserving the human expertise that makes lighting design both an art and a science.

When Daan Roosegaarde speaks of light, he's not talking about lumens or lux—he's describing a language that shapes human experience. "I see light as a language," he explains. "What do people remember when they wake up the next morning? That's what I want to design." This conversation reveals the mind of one of today's most innovative creators, whose work defies categorisation across art, architecture, technology, and environmental activism.

Daan's journey from fine arts student to founder of Studio Roosegaarde illustrates the power of hybrid thinking in solving complex problems. His Rotterdam-based studio creates experiences that challenge our relationship with technology and nature—from electricity-generating dance floors to the world's largest outdoor air purifier. But it's his work with bioluminescence that truly captures the imagination.

The discussion delves into his current passion: breeding fireflies that communicate through synchronised light patterns as part of their mating ritual. With these insects disappearing due to light pollution and pesticides, his team has established the world's first breeding program. Similarly, his work with glowing flowers allows humans to see what butterflies naturally perceive through ultraviolet light. These projects represent what he calls "super nature"—learning from natural phenomena to create new forms of human experience.

Perhaps most striking is Roosegaarde's "Seeing Stars" project, where he convinced entire cities to turn off every light for one night. "I think it's unacceptable that we live in a world where we talk about AI and self-driving cars and blockchain, but we don't see the stars anymore," he argues. "That's not a smart city. You see the stars in a smart city."

The conversation explores AI's role in design, with Daan embracing it as a creative tool while emphasising that our uniquely human qualities—emotional intelligence, creativity, and comfort with failure—become more valuable as technology advances. "We just got to be better humans. That's the best solution," he concludes.

Whether discussing his glowing Van Gogh bicycle path, developing biodegradable fireworks, or his philosophy on sharing ideas freely, Daan demonstrates why innovation requires us to change perspective. As he puts it, "When you change your perspective, everything changes." What would you create if you saw the world differently?