2024

2-4 JULY 2024, SCHOOL OF DIGITAL ARTS, MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE: AGENCY, INTERACTION AND INFLUENCE IN GENERATIVE AI STORYTELLING AND ART

AGENCY

INTERACTION

INFLUENCE

The influence that algorithmic systems exert on society, communities and identities, for example through algorithmic bias and corporate ownership, is increasingly well understood and documented in the media, academia and the software industry.

What are the socio-cultural and economic implications of such these influences on artistic and creative media producers and their audiences? And are there emerging strategies and tools that can be used to avoid, mitigate or otherwise challenge types of harmful influence and bias, particularly as they pertain to our narratives and media?

CONFERENCE FORMAT

Following a peer-reviewed selection process for all open call proposals, we look forward talks, panel discussions and artist presentations and performances by over 70 speakers academics from 20 universities, alongside independent researchers, filmmakers, musicians, artists and creative industry professionals from the UK and around the world speaking, debating, exhibiting and performing at the two-day creative AI conference.

We also are very excited to present a pop-up exhibition of AI creative works alongside the conference and a night of AI-related performances at Manchester’s famous venue the Deaf Institute. These exciting and social events are intended to celebrate the important contribution the practitioner community make to creative AI research, testing and also challenging our ideas of what is possible with these new technologies. 

TYPES OF PRESENTATION

1. FIFTEEN-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS

• Objectives or central research question(s) 
  
• Any theoretical models or frameworks employed 
  
• Description of any data used 
  
• Presentation of key findings 
  
• Conclusions and implications
  
• Next steps and suggestions for future research and practice 

2. PRESENTED ARTWORKS & PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

The curatorial team will be in touch with all accepted artists and performers. Where there are practical constraints, such as with artworks, we will also consider the practicality of proposals. Where an original proposal cannot be supported our curatorial team may be in touch for further discussion on alternate presentation format that better suits the conference and our resources.
 

3. TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRY DEMONSTRATIONS AND LIGHTNING TALKS

• An overview of the proposed demonstration with details of any anticipated audience interactions
  
• Any technical requirements necessary for the demonstration (that you cannot provide yourself)

During the conference, each demonstration will consist of a concise lightning talk, not exceeding 5 minutes, followed by a technical demonstration lasting no more than 10 minutes. 

UNDER REPRESENTED VOICES

The Storytellers + Machines organising team and everyone at Manchester Metropolitan University are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

We promote submissions and attendance from all interested presenters, artists and attendees, irrespective of background, belief or identity. In particular, we strongly encourage, and offer practical support, where possible, to applications from groups which are underrepresented in the field. 

We are keen to feature presenters producing relevant creative work and research outside of academia, both as independent practitioners and those in industry.

Practical measures include:

• Discounted tickets for a selection of low-income, independent practitioner and student attendees
• Some application support and guidance for first-time conference submissions
• Giving equal value to artist, industry and academic submissions when considering the work you submit 

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