Trinity hosts forum on AI's impact on creative work
Over 100 participants from academia, industry, policy, and the arts gathered at Trinity Business School on 14 May 2026 to discuss how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are reshaping creative practice, authorship, and education.
The Creative Futures Forum brought together researchers, educators, policymakers, artists, and creative practitioners from more than 35 institutions to examine the practical implications of AI for creative work.
What emerged from the discussions
Elliot Masie, founder of the MASIE Learning Foundation, offered a straightforward take on the challenge ahead. "AI is like weather - you can't control it and need to adapt to it," he said.
Professor Carmel O'Sullivan, who delivered a keynote address, highlighted the stakes for creative education. "The creative industries are entering a period of profound transformation. It is vital that education, research, and creative practice evolve together to ensure future generations of creative talent can thrive while preserving artistic integrity, critical thinking, and human expression."
A World Café workshop structured discussions around five areas: artistic integrity and fair value creation, AI and authorship, policy and regulation, future skills and education, and funding support for the creative sector.
Participants repeatedly returned to one theme: human creativity remains central. Professor Na Fu, one of the event organisers, said: "While technology continues to advance rapidly, human creativity, imagination, judgement, storytelling, and artistic expression matter more than ever."
Why this matters for creatives
The forum identified collaboration across research, education, policy, and industry as essential for building a sustainable future for creative work. Abigail Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, said: "The future of innovation and creativity depends increasingly on our ability to connect disciplines, sectors, and perspectives."
The event also honoured the late Michèle Burke, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, reflecting on the enduring value of human craftsmanship and artistic vision in an era of rapid technological change.
Organisers plan to publish a follow-up report with key recommendations from the forum discussions.
For creatives navigating these changes, resources on AI for creatives and generative art offer practical guidance on how these tools work and how they fit into creative practice.
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