All the latest news!

Arts SU Calls for Stronger Protections for Creative Students in Response to UAL Event on AI

The Elected Student Officer Team at Arts Students' Union (Arts SU) expresses concerns over the upcoming event, "The Work of Art in the Age of Serial Generation," for the Tony Blair Institute which will take place on Wednesday, 2nd April, at UAL’s Chelsea College of Art.

bannercamberwellcentral saint martins officerchelsea amp wimbledon officercommunity officerlondon college of communication officerlondon college of fashion officerofficer blogstatementunion affairs officer

The Elected Student Officer Team at Arts Students' Union (Arts SU) expresses concerns over the upcoming event, "The Work of Art in the Age of Serial Generation," for the Tony Blair Institute which will take place on Wednesday, 2nd April, at UAL’s Chelsea College of Art.

While Arts SU acknowledges the importance of academic freedom and discussions about the evolving creative sector and rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the decision by University of the Arts London (UAL) to host an event by an organisation that is funded by US Tech billionaire, Larry Ellison, and advocating for reduced copyright protections in the AI sector raises serious concerns. We believe that it is a contradiction of the values of the University in which its students pay tens of thousands of pounds per year to pursue futures in the creative industries while hosting organisations which seek to dismantle that future. 

“Our research indicates that UAL students are increasingly worried about the impact of AI on employment opportunities in the creative sector,” recent Arts SU research explains. “UAL should be collaborating with organisations that aim to protect and empower future creatives, rather than those seeking to erode their rights”. 

Arts SU calls on UAL to take a firm stance and use its connections within the industry, and influencing and lobbying power to support students’ professional futures by engaging with organisations that strengthen, rather than diminish, protections for creative professionals.

UAL current strategic plan states that ‘the world needs creativity’. To fulfil this mission, UAL must work to create a world where its creatives are protected and championed. 

Arts Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer Team 2024/25

Notes:

Art or Algorithm is a new research report from Arts SU, exploring how students at the University of the Arts London (UAL) view AI’s role in their education and future careers.

The report is essential reading for policymakers, industry leaders, educators, students interested in the future of the UK’s creative industries. As the government focuses on strengthening the creative pipeline, it is vital to understand how AI is affecting the next generation of creative professionals, those who will shape the industry for years to come. Read more about Art or Algorithm's release.

 

Related articles

Carbon Literacy Day of Action

Back in November, 2024 Arts SU invited Central Saint Martins MA Innovation Management student Natsumi Matsuoka to attend Carbon Literacy Training, hosted as part of an international day of action at Central Saint Martins. The training is part of a wider roll out spearheaded by UAL’s new Climate and Net Zero training programme, which works across UAL to recontextualise Carbon Literacy for UAL's multiple subject disciplines.

Wed 08 Jan 2025

Nominations Now Open: Arts SU By-Elections

Find out more about the roles available and nominate until 25th October, 12pm...

Wed 09 Oct 2024

Get election ready!

With the Voter Registration ending at midnight tonight, get yourself ready for polling day in May!

Tue 16 Apr 2024