2024 Photo Ethics Symposium: Ethics in the Age of AI

The theme of this year's Photo Ethics Symposium is: Ethics in the Age of AI.

The recent rise in popularity of AI image generation technologies has brought with it a multitude of questions about the implications of AI for the creative industries. Some photographers are raising concerns about copyright infringement, job loss, and an undervaluing of the time and skill needed for creative work. Others are flagging the inherent biases built into AI models, the lack of regulation for AI technologies, and the repercussions of the circulation of AI-imagery on public trust. And some are exploring the possibilities for AI image generation in their creative practice.

For this symposium, we are bringing together a range of experts on AI and image-making to focus on the ethical dimensions of these questions.

This symposium will take place online over 3 days, from December 4-6. There will be an in-person event at Queen's University Belfast on December 3 to launch our recent report, Eight Lessons from The Photo Ethics Podcast.

Symposium Schedule

December 4

Opening Lecture: 10.00-11.30 GMT
'Automation of Creativity: AI and its implications for the creative industries'
Speaker: Jeongki Lim

Conversation: 14.00-15.30 GMT
'Creativity, ethics, and AI'

Guests: Jake Elwes & Dr Ameera Kawash
Moderator: Dr Tara Pixley

December 5

Project Ethics Reviews: 10.00-12.00 and 14:00-16:00 GMT

The aim of these 1-to-1 Project Ethics Reviews is to discuss an individuals’ current projects, highlight ethical questions that they may not have considered, and discuss possible resolutions. Projects for review do not need to be related to AI.

Reviews cost £20 per participant, per review. Each review is 25 minutes long. There are 24 review slots available. They will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. A number of free community review slots will be available for people from underrepresented communities.

Reviewers: Savannah Dodd, Smita Sharma, Tammy Law, David Campbell, Jess Crombie (all available 10.00-12.00 GMT), and Tara Pixley (available 14.00-16.00 GMT) 

Conversation: 14:00-15:30 GMT
'AI images and public trust'

Guests: Nikita Roy & Shirin Anlen
Moderator: Dr David Campbell

December 6

Conversation: 10.00-11.30 GMT
'Representation and stereotyping in AI'

Guests: Mutale Nkonde & Dr Rebecca Swift 
Moderator: Dr Savannah Dodd

Closing lecture: 14.00-15.30 GMT
'Reflexive AI in Design: Building Reflexivity into Image Learning Models'
Speaker: Vera van der Burg