Wednesday 21 August 2024, at the Scottish Parliament
Machines can generate art, music, literature and apparently many of us can’t tell the difference between human or machine creativity. While creatives globally fear cuts to earnings and jobs, new technology is yet another challenge. And what of authorship and privacy? Are creative humans still relevant or is generative AI an overhype?
Scotland’s Futures Forum hosted a thought-provoking session on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and creativity at the Festival of Politics 2024. Leading voices from the creative industries and AI research gathered to explore how these two worlds are increasingly entwined.
Key Takeaways
- Creatives see AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
- There is a need for more AI training and ethical regulations
- AI can streamline tasks but raises job security concerns
- Live music and human creativity remain irreplaceable
- Better AI literacy and collaboration are essential
- Current regulations are inadequate; more protection for creatives is needed
- AI should enhance, not detract from, the creative process.
Summary
Reading time of 4 minutes
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Research Insights: AI as a support, not a replacement
Professor Frauke Zeller kicked off the discussion by sharing findings from the Creative Informatics project. This research initiative surveyed creatives in Scotland about their priorities, concerns, and hopes for creative AI. The results were interesting. Far from resisting technology, most creative professionals expressed interest in using AI as a supportive tool in their daily work to enhance their creativity rather than diminish it. However, they also highlighted the need for more training opportunities and ethical regulation in AI development.
Opportunities and Challenges: finding the balance
Rosie Castle highlighted the balancing act many in the creative industries currently navigate. On the one hand, AI can streamline mundane tasks—like automating administrative work or assisting in production. Yet, growing fears around job security persist, especially in light of recent writers’ strikes, where artists raised alarms about AI’s potential to replace human labor.
Castle pointed out how this tension is especially acute in industries like film, literature, and music, where AI increasingly generates scripts, stories, and even music compositions. However, panellists cautioned that the homogenisation of art—where AI may lead to a more formulaic approach—could stifle the originality that marks human creativity.
Creativity Potential: threat or ally?
Michelle Thompson shared her thoughts on AI’s growing presence in the music industry. She clearly saw opportunities for musicians to save time but also significant threats to job security, especially with technologies becoming more adept at composing and producing tracks.
“What will become of us, as humanity, when much of our music is created by a machine?”
Thompson stressed that live music, with its irreplaceable human touch, might serve as a refuge for traditional musicians. While AI-generated tracks may proliferate in commercial contexts, the emotional resonance and spontaneity of live performance remain out of reach for machines.
Preserving the Human Element: the role of education
Throughout the discussion, the human element repeatedly emerged as a critical consideration. Creativity is not just about the final product but also the process—the journey artists undertake when creating something new. As we integrate AI tools more into this process, education will ensure that artists maintain agency and control over their work.
The panel agreed on the need for better AI literacy, especially among young creatives. As AI reshapes creative industries, artists must equip themselves with the skills to use these tools responsibly and ethically. This includes understanding complex issues of copyright, ownership, and the ethical training of AI systems, particularly when using artists’ works in AI datasets without consent. Encouraging collaboration between creative communities, academics, and technologists is vital to navigating the evolving landscape.
Protecting creatives: the need for regulation
The conversation also touched on the regulatory landscape around AI. The panellists agreed that current frameworks fail to adequately address the rapid advancements in AI and their implications for the creative sector. They raised concerns about the lack of protection for creatives, as AI systems frequently use their work without permission, sometimes leading to exploitation. There were calls for policymakers to engage with creatives, academics, and the tech sector to devise ethical models for integrating AI into creative practices.
Looking Ahead: AI as a complement, not a replacement
As the discussion came to an end, it became clear that AI is neither a hero nor a villain in the world of creativity. It is a tool—one with immense power to reshape industries, but also one that must be managed carefully. The panel underscored that ongoing dialogue is essential to ensure AI enhances rather than detracts from the creative process.
The consensus was hopeful yet cautious. While AI offers promising tools that can streamline workflows and open up new creative possibilities, it also presents real challenges, particularly regarding originality, job security, and ethical concerns. As such, the creative industry must strike a delicate balance—empowering creatives with the skills to use AI effectively while protecting the human essence that makes art, music, and storytelling so unique.
Conclusion: a future of collaboration and innovation
The 2024 Festival of Politics session on AI and creativity highlighted that we are at a critical juncture. The relationship between AI and the creative sector is one of collaboration, not competition—at least, that’s the ideal. As both sectors continue to evolve, creatives, technologists, and policymakers will need to work hand-in-hand to ensure that AI acts as a complementary force, enhancing creativity rather than replacing it.
Ultimately, the future of creativity will be shaped by how well we integrate these tools, keeping humanity at the heart of the artistic process while harnessing AI’s potential to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The conversation is just beginning—and it’s one we must all be a part of.
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain errors or inaccuracies, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. If you find any content that is offensive or discriminatory, please report it to us.
Watch the recording
Panellists
Professor Frauke Zeller is Chair and Professor of Design Informatics, and co-Director of the Institute of Design Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.
Rosie Castle is campaigns manager at Edinburgh International Festival. She works across the International Festival’s marketing channels to promote this celebration of world-class performing arts.
Michelle Thomson MSP had a long career prior to entering politics, encompassing music, IT, financial services and research, before she was elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament in 2021. She is also Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Music.
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