Artificial Intelligence has been with us for a long time, but it’s suddenly hit the headlines as new products have recently appeared on the market and sped up the implementation of digital smarts within wider society. The release of ChatGPT and Midjourney has spurred Google, Microsoft and others to bring out their own versions, with an of influx of bot-based writing and visuals. Whilst there are architects and designers who are quick to vocally embrace the potential of AI by presenting fantastical speedily generated images to prove the point, the creative community has legitimate concerns as people worry about their careers in an already cash-strapped industry. Why would companies hire artists when they could get similar results from AI in a fraction of the time and avoid the designers fee?

Science fiction has long been concerned with robot uprisings, however machines were meant to replace us by stepping in to take care of those mechanised, menial jobs or manual labour; they weren’t supposed to do the thinking for us as well! How can we ensure that the human race remains in charge of art, design and the written word? Could AI actually become an incredible tool for creative production and enable a new age of democratised culture, where anyone can access the skills and means that they require if they have some imagination. Will we educate future generations to think bigger and faster, working alongside their online co-pilots? Or will programmes begin to take charge with humans as the most efficient means to produce THEIR visions in the ‘real’ world?

Speakers:

Will Jennings, artist & writer (chair) Munkhtulga Battogtokh, King’s College London
Gareth Edwards, Shutterstock
Usman Haque & Ling Tan, Umbrellium Helen Parton, Writer & Journalist

amongst others….

On the night….