The AI Debate
The project explored the role of AI in the arts through live workshops, performance and panel discussion, turning widespread anxiety about AI into open, productive dialogue, whilst involving and inspiring the community with thought-provoking ideas.
Level Up is a High Peak Community Arts programme supporting young people in the High Peak to build confidence, creativity, and skills for the future. The programme also gives young people a platform for their voices to be heard and to shape and deliver their own projects.
The Showcase
Participants came together in New Mills for a structured debate on artificial intelligence alongside Josh Asquith, a generative AI expert. They split into four groups, each exploring a different art form — dance, creative writing, music and visual arts — joined by professionals within that art form to create pieces exploring the use of AI within it.The dance team drew inspiration from an abstract piece of art, exploring the creative process and questions of ownership.
The visual arts team created pieces in collaboration with AI, exploring how software could help bring their drawings to life.
The music team played live music alongside AI-generated music, comparing the two.
The creative writing team experimented with AI in different ways, including inputting characters to generate stories and using AI to read pieces back in their own voices.
What Did the Debate Decide?
Using AI to make creative work: Is it cheating?
The audience was split — 40% said yes, it is cheating, while another 40% felt it’s fine as long as you’re honest about it. Only 20% gave an outright no.
Who owns or should own the work created with AI?
This one was clear. 80% of the audience backed shared ownership between the user and the company running the AI model. 20% favoured Creative Commons for anyone. Nobody felt that the AI company or the user alone should own the work outright.
Can you trust AI on matters of opinion?
A resounding no from 80% of the audience. 20% thought AI might at least offer a fresh perspective, and nobody voted yes.
Have you seen or heard anything today that has changed your view of AI?
60% left the debate saying yes, something had shifted their thinking. 40% said no.
Highlights from the ProjectÂ
The event was interactive and welcoming; people who knew little about AI found it daunting, came along and found themselves sharing confident opinions.
Â
The project helped young people grow in self-confidence, empowering them to believe they can do what they put their mind to. Here are some of the skills participants developed:
Â
- Critical thinking and forming their own arguments
- Public speaking and listening to different points of view
- Understanding of AI and how it affects everyday life
- Confidence to engage with topics that might have felt out of reach
Get Involved
The Level Up Programme is open to young people up to the age of 25. If you’d like to take part, volunteer, or support what we’re doing, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more here.