What We Had in Common… On Loss, Extraction, Art and the AI Commons

Necrocapitalist paradigms of AI driven by big tech corporations and innovation-thirsty governments are built upon the extraction of a diverse set of commons. The non-consensual extraction of shared data, open knowledge, and public infrastructures, and the slave-like labor, the dirty energy, and the critical minerals supporting these present a commons, not to be shared but to be privatized, commodified and turned into profit, leaving what we originally had in common depleted. Hosted by the Quebec consortium ArtIA lead by Sporobole, the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT], and Projet Collectif this panel discussion presents a series of critical counterproposals in developing a critical commons for AI in Digital Creation.

This panel kicks-off with two transatlantic case studies presenting alternative, collective pathways for addressing AI rooted in sustainability, resilience, and reciprocity. Tommie Introna, R&D Platform Producer at Serpentine Arts Technologies, introduces the gallery’s initiative in imagining future art ecosystems marked by a vision of AI as public infrastructure, similar to water and electricity. Maurice Jones, Research lead of ArtIA, will share insights from a year-long process of stakeholder consultations in building a commons for AI in Digital Creation in Quebec and Canada. Following discussion about the need for reimagining and -constructing AI in the arts and cultural sectors are joined by independent researcher and transdisciplinary artist Portrait XO. The conversation is moderated by Marc-OIivier Durcharme, Development Director at Sporobole.

Please note: this activity will be in English, with live transcription available.