On 27 February 2025, the In Connection Foundation, in collaboration with the Creativity Lab student organisation at UKEN (University of National Educational Commission in Cracow), hosted a dynamic and thought-provoking debate.
Held at the UKEN Creativity Lab headquarters in Kracow, the event brought together young artists, creatives, students, and cultural practitioners to explore the growing influence of AI in the creative industries. The main aim was to reflect critically on whether AI acts as a tool that expands artistic boundaries—or whether it threatens to redefine or diminish the human role in the artistic process.
The discussion focused on:
- How young creatives perceive AI in relation to their work
- The opportunities and risks AI introduces to the artistic field
- The changing role of the artist in an age where algorithms can generate visuals, music, and stories
The evening featured insights from a diverse and experienced panel:
Marcin Stryski – An actor and IT professional working at a Swiss bank, Stryski shared his unique experience at the intersection of technology and art. He captivated the audience with behind-the-scenes details of The Music.AI, the world’s first musical exploring AI’s impact on humanity, co-created using tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL·E, and DeepL.
Dr Łukasz Białkowski – A respected art critic, curator, and university lecturer, Dr. Białkowski brought a critical and philosophical lens to the debate. Drawing on his curatorial experience and editorial work, he raised important questions about authorship, originality, and the shifting values of art in the age of machine-generated creativity.
The panel was further enriched by the contributions of mobility participants:
- Nataniel Rydziewski
- Natalia Adamska
These young voices offered personal reflections and experiences with AI tools, expressing both curiosity and caution about their potential and limits.
The debate sparked engaged audience participation, encouraging attendees to share their own perspectives on how AI can be used as a creative partner, and what boundaries should (or should not) be placed on machine-generated content. Many agreed that while AI offers innovative new tools, it is the intent, interpretation, and emotion brought by the human artist that remains irreplaceable.
