Generative AI paper authored by Dr Kate Miltner among British Academy's 13 discussion papers on "good" digital society

 The British Academy has today published thirteen discussion papers from a range of expert perspectives across the ‘SHAPE’ disciplines (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy) to explore the question: ‘What are the possibilities of a good digital society?’ 

The papers explore a wide range of issues, from the environmental impacts of digitalised daily life to the possibilities of ‘good’ Generative AI in the cultural and creative industries, to examining more closely what we mean by a ‘good digital society’.

Among the papers is one authored by information School Lecturer Dr Kate Miltner, with Dr Tim Highfield from the Department of Sociological Studies. Their paper focuses on "good" uses of generative AI in the cultural & creative industries.

Alongside the papers is an introductory summary that provides a thematic overview of the papers and points to how we might conceptualise the principles that underpin these diverse visions of a good digital society.

This series of discussion papers is part of the British Academy’s Digital Society policy programme, which draws upon the ‘SHAPE’ disciplines to explore the ways in which digital technologies, tools, and practices shape and are shaped by our society, and how policymakers can navigate the digital society in the coming decade.

Read the discussion papers and the accompanying introductory summary here: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/projects/what-are-the-possibilities-of-a-good-digital-society/

Read Kate and Tim's paper 'The Possibilities of 'Good' Generative AI in the Cultural and Creative Industries' here: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/the-possibilities-of-good-generative-ai-in-the-cultural-and-creative-industries/

Abstract for Kate & Tim's paper:

Within the last two years, the launch of prominent generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT and Midjourney has intensified debates about how AI is developed and trained, about its potential biases and blindspots, and about how these technologies could, and should, be used. These debates have been particularly visible within the artistic and creative industries, with widespread outcry about AI models being trained on artists’ work without permission, and related concerns about generative AI taking work away from creative professionals. Conversely, AI is also pitched as offering many creative possibilities within culture and the arts, with a discourse around how AI is “reimagining” and “unlocking” creativity and creative practices. This discussion paper provides an overview of challenges, possibilities, and opportunities relating to generative AI and its relationship to cultural production and innovation in the UK. It explores how generative AI can form part of a “good” future for the UK’s cultural and creative industries, encouraging desirable social outcomes through strategies that foreground artists’ consent, remuneration, consultation in creative AI development, and the support of diverse cultural outputs.