Press Release
Press Release: Art, AI, Law & Society Resource Cluster
Montreal, Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 - The new Art, AI, Law and Society Resource Cluster aims to grasp the opportunities of generative AI in the arts and culture sector, while addressing its social, legal and economic implications. This pioneering initiative supported by the Canada Council for the Arts will seek to anticipate and inform emerging AI policies and regulations with the aim of promoting the arts sector's important role in democracy and cultural security.
The program includes 3 paid residencies/fellowships, workshops, and an annual conference and addresses critical issues such as:
Stakeholder-led co-design of standards for the use of generative AI.
Innovative business models such as data trusts.
The intersection of the latest developments in AI, emerging AI and arts law.
Professional development for artists, administrators and jurists.
“How can we combine digital democracy and cultural democracy? Between creativity and legality, a whole field is opening up for our artists!” exclaims NATHALIE BONDIL.
“As AI technology advances rapidly, the arts community will require a dependable source and repository to explore both potential opportunities and potential pitfalls. Mass Culture looks forward to collaborating with AIIA as a community partner, ensuring that the sector effectively harnesses its wealth of information and creative output.” Robin Sokoloski, Mass Culture.
“When ChatGPT came along, it forced me to confront the possibility of existential risks, and that's when my actions and plans really changed. I support the Cluster of Expertise because art contributes to collective reflection on the societal challenges of AI, on the choices we'll have to make, which will have legal, economic and political impacts.” YOSHUA BENGIO.
“Generative AI brings with it seismic impacts on the practice and profession of visual arts, and so it’s essential that the arts sector is able to co-create policy to define, protect, and advance the future of artistic expression in Canada. But given the magnitude and complexity of AI technology, sound policy solutions should be the product of processes that bring artists together, that foster space for creative, theoretical, and existential ideation, and encourage a diversity of voice and viewpoint. This is why the AI Impact Alliance’s contribution is so necessary, and why CARFAC Ontario is delighted to become a member.” Jason Samilski, CARFAC Ontario.
“As we are making strides in hardcore AI technology and witnessing paradigm shifts in power dynamics within society and the workforce as a result of technological innovations, we must be extra mindful of ways through which arts, creativity, and cultural engagement can ensure a balanced approach to progress and that is exactly why the Cluster is such a critical and timely initiative.” Ebrahim Bagheri, Responsible AI, Toronto Metropolitan University.
The Art, AI, Law & Society Resource Cluster is an initiative by Valentine Goddard, artist and lawyer, founder and director, Alliance Impact (AIIA), member of the Government of Canada's AI Advisory Council. For more information or to become a partner, member or ambassador please contact her directly at v.goddard@allianceimpact.org.