In this episode of Designing with AI, I sit down with Laura, our very first researcher guest on the show. Laura leads an incredible research team at Adobe focused on generative AI and creativity, and we talk about how these tools are changing—not replacing—the creative process.
We talk about bias and representation, the hidden work behind AI-generated outputs, and why trust and transparency matter more than ever. Laura also offers thoughtful reflections on what might come next, and what skills creatives should be building to stay grounded and intentional in this rapidly evolving space.
Editor’s note: This episode was recorded a few months ago and delayed in editing due to my health. Thankfully, the conversation is just as relevant now as it was then—and I'm excited for you to hear Laura’s perspective.
About Laura
Laura Herman specializes in emerging technologies’ impact on creative practices. Currently, she is the Head of AI Research at Adobe, where she leads a team of user researchers focused on Generative AI tools for Creative Cloud, and she is also the Co-Director of the Inclusive AI Lab at Utrecht University. Laura received her PhD from the University of Oxford’s Internet Institute and has previously held research roles at Harvard, Princeton, and Intel. In her work with creatives, Laura has worked with arts institutions such as the Serpentine Galleries, the Tate, Studio Olafur Eliasson, and Ars Electronica; her research work has been covered by venues including the BBC, Forbes, Artnet, New Scientist, Newsweek, and the Wall Street Journal.
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