F(r)ictions: Creative Work in an Age of AI

Creative industries are experiencing one of the most dramatic transitions in recent history. Generative AI systems are now able to produce advertising campaigns, fashion images, and written works at a fraction of the time, at the cost of human labor, and without the contributions of those most affected by the technology. Some of these transformations are being adjudicated in the courts; voices from these communities should be heard in these debates.

These shifts raise urgent questions:

What does it mean to be a creative worker today? What is an author now that machines mimic writing style? When a fashion model’s likeness is used to train AI without consent, who owns that work? How can filmmakers prevent AI-generated content from mixing into archival materials without distinction? How can creative professionals sustain a livelihood as automation expands? How do we empower different creative communities to see parallels between how their disciplines are affected by AI, and contribute to shaping AI's development?

This day-long convening brings together practitioners, legal scholars, social scientists, and students to investigate the present and future of creative work in an age of AI. We aim to bring together disparate conversations from the domains of design and fashion, film and philosophy, creative writing and critical thought to create a platform from which to agitate for a future that creative workers want to see when it comes to emerging, powerful technologies. Our ambition is to build toward a regional, NYC-based network of creative workers and scholars who share a stake in governing the future of AI and creative labor.

Schedule of Events:
9:45 AM

Welcome by Sareeta Amrute, Andrew Shea, and Zed Adams.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

Panel 1: Stories from the Front Lines

Focusing on stories from workers and representatives from AIGA, Authors Guild, the Archival Producers Alliance, and the Model Alliance.

Speakers:

Stephanie Jenkins from Archival Producers Alliance
Aldo Juraidini from American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) 
Umair Kain from Author’s Guild
Sara Ziff from Model Alliance
Moderator: Rachel Robbins from Tangible Mind

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Break with tea, coffee, and snacks

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Panel 2: Legal Rights and Collective Bargaining

Focusing on legal issues, including thinking beyond copyright, labor organizing, whistleblowing, and policy interventions to address building worker power for designers and creative workers.

Speakers:

Alexandra Mateescu from Data & Society
Isaro Carter from The Carter Firm
Linda Powell from SAG-AFTRA
Moderator: David Bering-Porter from The New School

1:00–1:45 PM 

Lunch 

1:45–3:00 PM 

Panel 3: Alternative Models: the Small, the Specific, and from the Majority

Focusing on small and specific language models and alternative approaches that ask, what does ethical AI look like in practice, and what are the limits to ethics-based frameworks?

Speakers:

Ari Melenciano from Afrotechtopia
Sam Haecke from The New School
Taeyoon Choi from Wayne State University

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM 

Final Reflections

Open to students, faculty, alumni and public across The New School.