A Signal Processor Teaches Generative Artificial Intelligence [SP Education]

Richard J. Radke

Abstract: How did an “old dog” signal processing professor approach learning and teaching the “new tricks” of generative artificial intelligence (AI)? This article overviews my recent experience in preparing and delivering a new course called “Computational Creativity,” reflecting on the methods I adopted compared to a traditional equations-on-a-whiteboard course. The technical material is qualitatively different from traditional signal processing, and the types of students who took the class and their approach to learning were different too. I learned a lot from the experience but also came away with bigger questions about the role of educators in the age of generative AI.