This workshop invites AI enthusiasts to explore the evolving relationship between photography, semiotics, and AI-generated imagery. Participants will examine visual culture through historical and theoretical lenses, learning to engage with AI in analyzing visual meaning. Through group analysis, theory, and creative exercises, learners will build a shared toolkit for identifying AI-generated versus real images, while critically reflecting on authenticity, manipulation, and the future of visual media.

This is an intermediate level course — suitable for learners with prior exposure to visual culture, photography, or basic AI concepts, such as artists, educators, designers, developers, media professionals,  marketeers, and anyone exploring AI-driven visual analysis.

• History and evolution of photography

• Key concepts in semiotics: signifier/signified, denotation/connotation, indexicality

• Visual culture and AI-generated imagery

• Application of semiotic frameworks (e.g., Paris School) to image analysis

• Prompt engineering for AI-based visual research

• Ethical issues in visual media: authenticity, manipulation, authorship

• Strategies for distinguishing AI-generated from real images

• Group collaboration on semiotic analysis

On successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe key developments in the evolution of photography and image generation

• Analyze visual media using semiotic concepts and strategic questioning

• Apply a structured toolkit to distinguish between real and AI-generated images

• Evaluate issues of authenticity, manipulation, and authorship in visual culture

• Collaborate in group settings to conduct and present exploratory visual research

• Interactive lectures with visual case studies

• Group discussions and strategic prompt development

• Hands-on image analysis using AI tools

• Collaborative research exercises and peer presentations

• Creation of a group manual documenting key findings and strategies