Policy Corner – A first reflection on policy needs

The workshop on AI and the creative and cultural industries in Delft provided a forum for experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions about the potential of AI in CCIs

The Policy Corner at the Design & AI symposium

At the Design & AI – Shaping the future(s) symposium, TU Delft organised a Policy Corner to provide input to the AI policy work within ekip.

The Policy Corner segment at the symposium was instrumental in structuring discussions and generating concrete policy needs. It was a valuable step towards understanding the intersections between Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) and artificial intelligence, as well as identifying emerging areas for future policy recommendations.

The next phase will involve processing the outcomes of this event, along with gathering input from various stakeholders, including AI specialists and CCI professionals.

A forum for experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts

The workshop on AI and the cultural and creative industries in Delft provided a forum for experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions about the potential of AI in CCIs.

Participants were asked to form groups around canvases labeled either “good future” (utopian) or “bad future” (dystopian). Together with moderators, they brainstormed scenarios in each category.

“AI can impact art and culture a lot, and vice versa. This workshop aimed to figure out the good and bad things about this connection and what it means for both. We want to understand the risks, opportunities, and consequences of using AI within this industry,” says Leon van Klaveren, Project Manager at Delft Design Innovation & Impact Team, TU Delft.

Bridging the gap between AI skills and creative practice

One group discussed the skills needed for both AI and creative work. The discussion focused on bridging the gap between those who understand and use AI and those who currently do not.

“We should make AI tools available to more people and also teach kids about AI in school. We need curricula for both primary and secondary schools to help children understand what AI can do and how to use it responsibly,” summarized Alexandre Lotito, Senior Consultant at Technopolis Group and partner in ekip.

Another group explored design as a central connecting discipline a glue that can bridge different fields. The discussion highlighted both the potential of design to make AI understandable and concerns about the rapid adoption of AI tools without fully grasping their implications.

“AI can impact art and culture a lot, and vice versa. This workshop aimed to figure out the good and bad things about this connection and what it means for both”, says Leon van Klaveren, Project Manager at Delft Design Innovation & Impact Team TU Delft, who moderated parts of the workshop.

A valuable step towards European policy impact

Jeroen van der Aa, one of the organisers and Project Manager for EU Research & Innovation Collaboration at TU Delft, reflected on the expectations of the Policy Corner.

“By having quite a number of experts and informed participants active in AI, the discussions reached a higher level and deeper understanding of AI’s future development for CCIs.”

The input gathered could influence future innovation policies at the European Commission level policies that are vital for strengthening the position of cultural and creative sectors.

“The workshop was a valuable step towards understanding the possibilities of AI in CCIs and generating actionable policy recommendations,” says Jeroen van der Aa.

Reflection on policy areas and next steps

ekip aims to function as a network of networks, using the Policy Corner as a plug-in model across Europe.

“We don’t want to build a network from scratch we want to capitalise on existing events. So far, I’m very pleased with what came out of our workshop in Delft,” says Jeroen van der Aa.

The main objective of the Policy Corner was to set the stage for an initial reflection on policy areas. Inputs from Delft will feed into a future Policy Lab, alongside insights gathered from other ekip partners across Europe.

“We’re going to share important ideas at a Policy Lab in Brussels organised by Technopolis Group and IDEA Consult. These suggestions could significantly influence how Europe shapes a more creative, inclusive, and technologically advanced future,” Jeroen van der Aa explains.

Future Policy Labs will focus on delivering concrete policy recommendations, with strong involvement from AI experts and creative professionals to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and value-driven outcomes.