Call for Papers, Artwork or Performance Proposals
STORYTELLERS + MACHINES 2024
July 2-4, 2024
School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester, UK
https://storytellersandmachines.xyz/
Submission deadline: February 15, 2024
Following on from the series symposium in June 2023, Storytellers + Machines 2024 will be a two-day conference shaping debate on AI narrative, art and media at the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. Theme of the conference is “Controlling the Narrative: agency, interaction and influence in creative AI”.
Storytellers+Machines 2024 is a transdisciplinary conference that champions the contributions of artists, creative practitioners and technologists, alongside other voices from academia, industry and cultural sectors in the lively and contested creative AI space.
The open call for submissions to the conference is now open.
Deadline: 15 February 2024.
Submit 300-word paper, artwork or performance proposal
THIS YEAR’S THEME:
CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE: AGENCY, INTERACTION AND INFLUENCE IN GENERATIVE AI STORYTELLING AND ART
The theme for this year’s conference asks presenters to submit 300-work proposals for papers, artworks and performances related to three overarching topics for discussion:
- AGENCY
- INTERACTION
- INFLUENCE
THEME 1 – AGENCY
AI generative systems are possibly the first tools depicted as having their own creative agency. Yet, the philosophical distinctions between creators and their tools, audiences and their media are often blurred.
What kind of agency do audiences, authors and developers have when using generative and AI tools? Should we think in terms of control at all in these relationships and instead consider notions of collaboration, borderless synthesis of human and machine or something else?
THEME 2 -INTERACTION
New forms of interaction and immersion for audiences are being invented through generative and AI controlled narratives, artworks and experiences. What are the emerging creative systems, aesthetics and relationships between audience and producers of these forms?
THEME 3 – INFLUENCE
The influence that algorithmic systems exert on society, communities and identities, for example through algorithmic bias and corporate ownership, is increasingly well understood and documented in the media, academia and the software industry.
What are the socio-cultural and economic implications of such these influences on artistic and creative media producers and their audiences? And are there emerging strategies and tools that can be used to avoid, mitigate or otherwise challenge types of harmful influence and bias, particularly as they pertain to our narratives and media?
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Paper presentations, presented artworks and demonstrations that:
- Explore new forms of interaction and audience experience in generative and AI-based narratives and artworks – interaction theme.
- Provide creative and technical case studies and frameworks relevant to generative and AI-based narratives and artworks – interaction or control theme.
- Critically examine new generative AI narratives and artworks to provide insights into an emerging field of cultural production – control theme.
- Investigate the social, economic, ethical and legal implications of AI-based narratives and artworks – influence theme.
- Promote new strategies and approaches to producing trustworthy AI in the context of creative works and their audiences – influence theme.
- Relate to the impact on marginalised communities and identities of AI and generative technology and the narratives it produces, both for creator and audiences – influence theme.
FORMAT & GUIDANCE – SUBMISSIONS
You may submit:
- Paper presentations
- Technical demonstrations
- Presented artworks and performances.
You can submit up to two applications.
Submissions will be selected based on quality, innovation and relevance to the theme.
Where there are practical constraints, such as with artworks, we will also consider the practicality of proposals. Where an original proposal cannot be supported our curatorial team may be in touch for further discussion on alternate presentation format that better suits the conference and our resources.
For more details please visit https://storytellersandmachines.xyz/
UNDER REPRESENTED VOICES
The Storytellers + Machines organising team and everyone at Manchester Metropolitan University are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
We promote submissions and attendance from all interested presenters, artists and attendees, irrespective of background, belief or identity. In particular, we strongly encourage, and offer practical support, where possible, to applications from groups which are underrepresented in the field.
We are keen to feature presenters producing relevant creative work and research outside of academia, both as independent practitioners and those in industry.
Practical measures include:
- Discounted tickets for a selection of low-income, independent practitioner and student attendees
- Some application support and guidance for first-time conference submissions
- Giving equal value to artist, industry and academic submissions when considering the work you submit
Please indicate in your application if you require access to any of these measures in order to take part, or get in touch via email.
CONTACT – GET IN TOUCH
If you have any questions related to the proposal, please contact the team at aistorytellers@mmu.ac.uk