On February 11, the Ruhr Regional Association invited artists and cultural professionals to an exchange with AI experts. The event took place at the Academy for Theatre and Digitality.

Artificial intelligence is in demand like never before, whether in everyday life or in professional life, in the industrial and cultural world of work. A total of four speakers led the participants through the evening and asked questions about artificial intelligence and its benefits in culture and science: Which AI tools can I use creatively for my work? And how can I use them, e.g. can I use AI to create a funding application? What do I need to consider legally when using AI in my artistic work? Who can support me with copyright issues? How can I take advantage of remuneration regulations if my work is used for AI training purposes?

Pr. Tillmann Damrau (Vice Dean of Studies and Teaching, Art and Sports Sciences, TU Dortmund University) spoke about artificial intelligence in the field of science and teaching. Artificial intelligence in the field of copyright was led by Matthias Hornschuh (composer and publicist, Initiative Urheberrecht). AI is also moving into culture. Marcus Lobbes (Director of the Academy for Theatre and Digitality) and Michael Eickhoff (dramaturge at the Academy for Theatre and Digitality) spoke about artificial intelligence and performance. Lynn van Staa (media educator, jfc Medienzentrum) and Conny Crumbach (journalist, author and theater educator, jfc Medienzentrum) led the participants through an interactive workshop on the use of AI in creative work.

The Kulturkonferenz Ruhr mittendrin offered space for discussion, critical questioning and amazement. It is a cooperation between the Ruhr Regional Association and the Academy for Theatre and Digitality as a continuation of the 12th Ruhr Cultural Conference “Muse or Monster? AI in art and culture”, which took place at the Lichtburg in Essen in September 2024.