QF expert explores intersection of AI and artistry

The fusion of creativity and technology, according to Basma Hamdy from Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), has captivated the imagination of creators and scholars alike, with artificial intelligence (AI) transforming the creative landscape and challenging conventional notions of artistry and originality."I think AI has taken the world by storm in every discipline and in every space,” said Hamdy, an assistant professor of graphic design at VCUarts Qatar. "There is a conversation about how AI is modifying or affecting industries, and art is no exception.”One of the key ethical questions in this domain relates to the use of AI tools like ChatGPT in artistic endeavours, to which she said "the area of ethics and AI is still developing”."We need to start asking about what the ethical building blocks of our world today are,” Hamdy continued. "Is it optimisation, is it consumption, or is it looking more at the ethical components of constantly questioning why we're doing things, and trying to improve the lives of the average person?”Like everything in life, she said, navigating the ethical landscape in AI and art also requires a personal moral compass."You don't have to necessarily refer to the dictionary of world ethics; you have your own moral compass – you know what is right and wrong, and you can tell when it doesn't sit right with you,” the expert said.Institutions like VCUarts Qatar are taking proactive steps to guide students and educators in utilising AI wisely."At VCUarts Qatar and in Education City, there are workshops aimed at educating students and professors on how to use this technology wisely,” Hamdy said, explaining that these initiatives foster a generation of creators who are not only proficient in AI tools but also well-versed in ethical considerations.The QF and Qatar Museums are championing the integration of AI into educational and cultural spaces.Hamdy highlighted that the National Museum of Qatar's AI digital centre in collaboration with Microsoft is designed to engage the younger generation."I think it's a point in time where we're examining our own histories and really looking closely at that 20th century development,” she said. "The 20th century was marked by industrialisation, capitalism, competition, and power dynamics.”"In contrast, the future promises a shift towards productivity and collaboration, facilitated by AI's efficiency,” Hamdy concluded.