Our Real-Life Student Who Inspired an AI Cover Image
Meet Joshua-Daniel Alleyne ’27, an international student from Jamaica majoring in computer science and studio art with a minor in education, and our inspiration for an AI magazine cover image.
Initially, our concept for the Summer 2024 magazine cover involved using generative AI to transform Alleyne’s portrait into a half-human/half-cyborg to illustrate intelligence augmentation. While the current AI-powered image generation tools can mimic real people, we weren’t satisfied with the imitation of Alleyne’s likeness.
After many hours of experimentation, it became clear that merging a real photograph with generative AI wouldn’t create an image that effectively represented our feature story. So, we pivoted to fully utilize the text-to-image capabilities of generative AI. These tools employ machine learning to craft visuals based on descriptive text inputs like style, physical traits, mood, background scene, and composition. The process involved overcoming the learning curve as we explored the capabilities and limitations of AI tools and adapted our strategy along the way.
The image on the cover of this issue was created entirely within Midjourney (one of many generative AI platforms), using prompts inspired by Alleyne’s portrait and our vision of a symbolic representation of intelligence augmentation. It was then edited and enhanced by our graphic designers in more traditional tools such as Adobe Photoshop.
The real-life Alleyne says he finds the cover image creation process “intriguing.” Eventually, he aims to combine his computer science and studio art majors to pursue game design and knows it will be important to understand how AI functions, even as he is ambivalent about how it will affect his work. He also relishes making human connections as an Admissions tour guide and leader of the hip-hop dance club he founded on campus.
“As St. Lawrence is impacted by AI, it’s important that we keep our own authenticity. While these tools can open access to creativity for more people, we have to work to preserve the humanity in all we do.”
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