Until recently experts believed that creative jobs and businesses would be among the least vulnerable to AI and robotisation. However, in recent years these views have changed with the acceleration of Generative AI tools, which are already used as a low-cost substitute for creator labour previously done by humans. Undoubtedly, AI systems not only have made an impact on human creativity but have gone as far as generating new and original content, prompting some scholars to describe machine-based generative outputs as ‘artificial creativity’ (Moruzzi, 2021; Runco, 2023a, 2023b).
There are currently two discourses: on the one hand, there are enthusiasts who stress that the adoption and use of AI as a tool brings increased potential for creative tasks, expanding the reach and speed of search beyond the localised imagination of people, and ultimately resulting in augmented human talent and creativity. Digitisation of creative content has made professionals more productive and saved thousands of hours of tedious “grunt work” in activities like animation, where AI can substitute for repetitive rendering, freeing workers attention for higher-level and potentially more creative tasks.
Against this promise and opportunity sceptics report that work is already being lost, particularly in the more precarious freelance sector. Moreover, AI models depend on creative content produced by humans, which is exploited without regard for the human sources and their remuneration, since Intellectual Property enforcement is difficult with online content. From this respect, there are concerns that AI systems will eventually diminish human creativity and jeopardise the future of jobs, businesses and entire industries, including education institutions serving those industries.
This event will bring together these two contrasting perspectives to consider both sides and debate the opportunities and threats of AI for creativity.
Event Provider:
Joint SIG Event from the BAM Creative and Cultural Industries and BAM Innovation Special Interest Groups
Facilitators:
Professor Jonathan Sapsed
Chair – Professor Jonathan Sapsed, Newcastle University. [email protected]
Dr Areti Gkypali
Representative for capacity building for ECRs – Dr Areti Gkypali, Athens University of Economic and Business. [email protected]
Abstract and Paper Submissions
Abstract and Paper Submissions
We encourage abstract and paper submissions from all interested in the conference and the special issue, including Early Career Researchers, but participants are most welcome to join the symposium sessions without submitting and presenting a paper.
Paper abstracts should be 800 words, excluding references, and should include: title, authors’ full names and affiliations; sections on areas of application/ sector/ technology; literature to which the paper wishes to contribute; and ideally some empirical methods and results. However, both conceptual papers and empirical papers are welcome and we encourage both quantitative and qualitative submissions.
We welcome submissions on themes including, but not limited to, the following research agendas:
- Creativity, Innovation and the effects of AI
- AI and human creativity: enhancements and affordances
- The impact of different types of AI technology (e.g. traditional vs generative) on Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs)
- Co-creation with AI e.g. ‘conjoined agency’
- The impact of AI innovation on employment, skills and new forms of labour within the CCIs e.g. augmentation vs automation
- Intellectual Property protection in the era of AI
- AI-CCIs futures and foresight
- Government policies to stimulate or regulate AI in CCIs
- Trust and barriers to adoption
Key Dates:
Deadline for submission of the extended abstract: 27th January 2025
Notification of acceptance by the Convenors: 28th February 2025
Deadline for submission of the full paper (for presenters): 4th April 2025
Registration deadline: 9th April 2025
Programme
Provisional Programme
Organised jointly between the BAM Special Interest Groups of Innovation and Creative and Cultural Industries, our event will feature:
- Paper sessions with discussants (potentially leading to a Special Issue in a related journal (CABS 3* / 4*))
- A debate on the (future) impacts of AI on creativity with leading academic and practitioner speakers
- An acclaimed artist showcasing and reflecting on their AI-augmented creations
- Social and networking opportunities with two of BAM’s warmest communities!
Day 1:
13:00 - 14:00 - Welcome reception
14:00 - 14:45 - Keynote
14:45 – 15:00 - Coffee/Tea/cake
15:00 - 16:30 - Debate
16:30 – 17:30 - Drinks
19:30 - 21:00 - Dinner
Day 2:
09:30 - 10:00 - Coffee/tea
10:00 - 11:00 - PhD Poster session
10:00 - 12:30 - Paper sessions (2-3 rooms)
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch
Keynote Speakers
Professor Jonathan Sapsed
Chair – Professor Jonathan Sapsed, Newcastle University. [email protected]
Benefits of Attendance
Hearing specialist experts on the topic
Presenting research to a specialist audience
Support for PhD students working in the area
Knowledge exchange with practitioners
Networking with academics and practitioners
Support for development to a specialist issue of a well ranked CABS journal
Venue
Our conference will be held at Loughborough University London,
located within the vibrant Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Nestled within Here East - a proud legacy of the 2012 Olympics - it thrives as a dynamic hub for innovation, collaboration, and creativity.
Dedicated exclusively to postgraduate and doctoral education Loughborough University London fosters an interdisciplinary learning environment through five specialised institutes: Creative Futures, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Affairs, International Management and Entrepreneurship, and Sport Business.
The campus has excellent transport links to London’s major airports, rail stations, and the central London and is located next to the trendy East London district of Hackney.
There is a free shuttle bus service available that connects our campus at Here East to Stratford International and Stratford Station. For more information, please visit https://www.lborolondon.ac.uk/about/find-us/
Loughborough University London, Here East.
3 Lesney Avenue
The Broadcast Centre
Here East
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
London
E20 3BS
Event Fees
BAM Member - £50
BAM Student - £25
BAM Non-Member - £100
If you are booking multiple paid events as a Non-Member, it may be cheaper for you to purchase a BAM Membership as nearly all BAM Events are free or at a discounted rate for Members.
For more information, please visit BAM Membership
Registration deadline: 9th April 2025
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Payment for the event must be received before the start date of the event concerned. Access will not be permitted to the event if full payment has not been received.
Cancellations
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Cancellations received within 14 days of booking your place on the event will receive a full refund.
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Cancellations received after the 14-day cancellation period and later than 14 days before the start date of the event will not be eligible for a refund.
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Although we endeavour to run all events as advertised, BAM reserves the right to cancel any event if, for example, there are not enough people to justify running the event or if other significant unforeseen circumstances arise. Please be aware that delegates are always responsible for ensuring their own travel and accommodation against cancellation, and the British Academy of Management is not able to reimburse anyone for these under any circumstances.
To cancel a booking a cancellation request must be submitted via your BAM Account, to do this:
- Go to your BAM Account
- Click 'My Events'
- Under 'Upcoming Events' will be the booking, please click Cancel Booking
- Follow the steps and complete the request