“Before we mythologise a technology, it’s vital that we understand it”: sold-out Cultural Institute event explores the future of AI in the creative industries

The panellists examined how AI is already influencing creative production and what this means for skills development, recruitment, programming and long-term sustainability.

Creatives, policymakers and academics gathered at the University of Leeds earlier this month for a sold-out event exploring the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the urgent questions the technology is raising about skills, ethics, the future of work and what it means to be creative.

Hosted by the Cultural Institute at Stage@Leeds on Tuesday 17 March and chaired by broadcaster and former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, ‘What’s Next: AI, Skills and the Future of the Creative Industries’ brought together a panel of experts to examine how the sector can respond to this rapid technological change.

Broadcaster and presenter Kirsty Wark chaired the panel discussion at Stage@Leeds. Photo credit: Dustin Smith, Skywall Photography.

The interactive event was introduced by Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Professor Ben Walmsley, Dean of Cultural Engagement; and Wieke Eringa, Director of the Cultural Institute, who each emphasised the importance of creating space for open, critical discussion around AI.

Professor Ben Walmsley, Dean of Cultural Engagement, said:

“It was a real joy and privilege to welcome such an experienced, insightful and lively panel for the latest in our ‘What’s next?’ series of events. Chaired by the indomitable Kirsty Wark, the discussion addressed several important themes, including the need for cross-generational digital literacy, the continued importance of human creativity and critical thinking, and the growing demand for skills that combine creative and technical expertise.

“As the speakers emphasised, while AI can mimic and accelerate aspects of creative work, so far it lacks the fundamental human impulse to create, which underscores the need to keep human judgement and imagination at the centre of practice. These principles are very much in line with our own here at the University of Leeds.

“We are grateful to all of those who came along, joined in discussion and asked questions, and we are very much looking forward to the next event in the series.”

The five panellists examined how AI is already influencing creative production and what this means for skills development, recruitment, programming and long-term sustainability.

Dr Dibyadyuti Roy (School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds) opened the discussion by situating AI in a broader historical context, tracing its development from early conceptualisations in the 1950s to the legacy of Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing. Challenging dominant narratives around the technology, Dr Roy argued that “AI is only human” and stressed the importance of demystifying it: “Before we mythologise a technology, it’s vital that we understand it.” He also highlighted the need for appropriate safeguards, noting that “we need guardrails, we need rights.”

Dr Dibyadyuti Roy delivers his opening remarks. Photo credit: Dustin Smith, Skywall Photography.

Omar Karim, an AI Creative Director and filmmaker, reflected on the tensions between artistic integrity and commercial pressures. He warned that “the commercial side of creativity is railroading the creative side of creativity” and raised concerns about a future in which creativity is industrialised and automated. At the same time, he acknowledged AI’s potential to expand creative possibilities, suggesting that its long-term value will depend on how it is used and by whom.

Dr Matthew Forshaw (Newcastle University / The Alan Turing Institute) focused on the importance of AI literacy and accountability, arguing that individuals and organisations must better understand how these technologies are developed and deployed. He called for greater transparency in the use of AI, including clearer signalling of AI-generated content, and suggested that data science and AI practitioners should be formally accredited to ensure responsibility and trust.

Katie Moffat, Digital Strategist, explored the implications of AI for employment and skills across the creative sector. She emphasised that AI is more likely to reshape roles than replace them entirely, noting that its impact is often felt first at the level of individual tasks, affecting more junior roles at first. Highlighting the importance of agency, Katie said we must ask who gets to decide how AI is implemented within the sector, and who must adapt to decisions made by others. “We are at an interesting inflection point,” she said. “We have the capacity to do all sorts of amazing things with AI, but we need to be intentional about it. We as human beings need to steer the ship.”

Drawing on examples from AI art, curator Luba Elliott demonstrated the extent of human input behind digital artworks, challenging assumptions about automation and authorship. Emphasising the role of artistic intention, she noted that “it’s up to the artist to decide what makes something an artwork.”

The event included two breakout sessions during which participants discussed some of the key themes and questions raised by the panel. Photo credit: Dustin Smith, Skywall Photography.

Throughout the conversation the panellists took questions from the audience, which included freelancers and professionals working across a broad range of areas, from photography and audio description to poetry and video games. These included questions about whether audiences are ready for AI-generated content, how to navigate the ethics of using technologies developed by companies with controversial values and/or political affiliations, and the environmental impact of AI systems. Questions were also raised about the role of government regulation and the need to protect intellectual property in an evolving technological landscape.

In feedback provided after the event, attendees praised the ‘engaging, knowledgeable and provocative’ panel for offering a ‘rich and diverse discussion’. Others welcomed the interactive nature of the event – including the breakout sessions and questions from the audience – as well as the chance to network with people working in different roles across the creative industries.

Dr Matthew Forshaw delivers his opening remarks. Photo credit: Dustin Smith, Skywall Photography.

The event formed part of the Cultural Institute’s ‘What’s Next?’ series, which creates space for dialogue around the major challenges and opportunities shaping the cultural and creative sector. Information about 2027’s event will be shared in winter 2026.