Transformative Lenses: Empowering Learners with New Perspectives Using Generative AI and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Learning is a fundamental human drive that has been shaped by technological advancements over the years. The emergence of generative AI marks a profound shift—its capacity to produce text, images, and video challenges long‐held beliefs about what only humans could create. This shift creates new opportunities for learning, including enabling the design of more customized and personalized learning experiences. Recognizing that learning is deeply influenced by our perceptions of ourselves, others, and our materials and environments, I propose creating transformative lenses powered by generative AI and augmented reality (AR) to adapt what learners perceive, as a means to empower them with new perspectives. I design and implement a set of novel interactive systems and experiences as case studies that address factors including creativity, communication, and motivation. Studying the use of these systems, I gather early evidence that such lenses can help people to overcome their own limiting thoughts and emotions to move towards realizing their full potential. Reflecting on these case studies, I distill key considerations for designing and applying transformative lenses. Finally, I discuss the broader implications of this work at the evolving intersection of generative AI and learning.