Studio Overview

؜Climate change is reshaping ecosystems, food systems, and the ways communities relate to land. At the same time, artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool that can help us observe, analyze, and respond to environmental challenges. But AI is never neutral — every dataset, every model, and every decision reflects values. This studio explores how we can design AI tools that are technically functional, ecologically grounded, and ethically responsible.

Ecologically Grounded

Ethically Responsible

AI Tool

Technically Functional

Studio Client: Morning Glory Farm, West Bethel, Maine

؜In partnership with Morning Glory Farm, an independent CSA organic farm in West Bethel, Maine, students will investigate real ecological challenges faced by small farms: soil health, pest detection, water management, crop monitoring, biodiversity, and energy use. They will design AI-assisted tools that support sustainable and regenerative farm practices while honoring ecological wisdom and systems-thinking.

Studio Overview Continued

؜Students will collect their own datasets (images, sensor readings, audio clips) or use open environmental datasets, build simple machine learning models using beginner-friendly tools (Teachable Machine, Google Colab, Micro:bit/Arduino sensors), and prototype ecological monitoring or decision-support systems that could be used on our client farm.

Collect Data

Train a Machine Learning Model

Prototype Ecological Monitoring/ Decision Support Systems

Studio Overview Continued

؜Throughout the studio, we explore ecological intelligence — the ability to recognize interdependence, act with ecological humility, and design technologies aligned with the wellbeing of land, people, and nonhuman communities.The final outcome is a working prototype with an ecological systems-impact map and an ethical/philosophical reflection. In alignment with NuVu’s design process, students will iterate on ideas, test models, analyze failures, and critically reflect on the consequences (intended and unintended) of using AI in real ecological contexts.

Ethically...

Working Prototype

Systems Map

Ethical/Philosophical Reflection

Student Projects

Student Work being Demonstrated at the Farm and Testing for Deployment