AUT hosts AI + communication symposium

31 Jul, 2023

Generative AI has captured the public’s imagination in 2023, due partly to the accessibility of tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and DALL-E2.

The possibilities and potential risks of AI can be seen in multiple sectors. On September 6 2023 AUT will host the AI + Communication Symposium, open to all, to share research and foster discussion.

The Symposium will investigate AI’s impact across the following themes:

AI as disruptor
Revolutionising the creative process
AI in the caring environment
Exploring the effects of AI in the media
AI in the creative industries

The Symposium will finish with a panel discussion – Where to next? – chaired by Nigel Horrocks.

Organiser of the Symposium, Associate Professor Angelique Nairn, says the Symposium is an opportunity for researchers, students and interested parties from industry to come together and discuss the disruption that generative AI is causing. “Our research tells us there are many benefits provided by generative AI, but also many potential risks and disruptions. Our hope for the Symposium is some robust discussion about what is happening in New Zealand.”

The full programme

9am AI as disruptor

Dr Sarah Baker – Ambivalent AI; Threat or saviour
Dan Fastnedge/Justin Matthews/Associate Professor Angelique Nairn - The future of advertising campaigns: The role of AI-generated images in advertising creative
Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh - Empowering Education with AI: Opportunities and Challenges

10.15am Revolutionising the creative process

Gregory Bennett - The use of text-to-image AI tools in animation, visual effects and game design industries
AD Narayan - Matting in private: Machine learning models from a feature film visual effects standpoint
Dr Hossein Najafi - AI is reshaping the visual effects industry

11.15am AI in the caring environment

· Dr Maryam Doborjeh - AI in tinnitus: Prediction of therapy outcomes
· Dr Sam Madanian - AI in healthcare: Removing people or supporting them in their practice
· Associate Professor Sira Yongchareon/AnuradhaSingh - AI for smart homes designed for the elderly

1pm Exploring the effects of AI in the media

Dr Merja Myllylahti - Now you see it, now you don’t: How generative search engines and chatbots offer news and how these may affect news publishers
Associate Professor Petra Theunissen/Deepti Bhargava - Flawless and scandal free: Exploring media portrayals of virtual influencers
Professor Verica Rupar/Dr Weihua Li/Dr Merja Myllylahti/Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh/Prunella Parisa/Haley Jones - Journalism, algorithms and public interest

2pm - AI in the creative industries

Amir Azizi Sarajy– How AI will change every aspect of the filmmaking process
Dr Peter Hoar– Now that’s not what I call music! AI and the music industry
Associate Professor Arezou Zalipour– Can AI make creative decisions or predict film success? AI at the greenlighting stage and preproduction

3.15pm - AI: Where to next?

Panel discussion with Justin Matthews, AD Narayanand guest speaker, chaired by Nigel Horrocks.