Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Culture Summit Abu Dhabi hosted in-depth discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on art and culture, with experts highlighting AI’s growing role in shaping both cultural production and consumption.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Professor Iyad Rahwan, Director of Max Planck Institute for Human Development, said that AI influences culture in two main ways “by curating the content we consume through algorithmic filtering of news and media, and by actively participating in the creation of culture through AI-generated art, music, and visual works.”
Rahwan said he is interested in understanding how this emerging phenomenon is reshaping art, science, and cultural output, while emphasising the need to manage its risks and maximise its benefits. He expressed a desire to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that bring together science and art in joint exhibitions with both creative and scientific aims.
Glenn Lowry, David Rockefeller Director, Museum of Modern Art, said the Culture Summit serves as a global platform for thinkers and creators to engage on contemporary cultural issues, including AI’s impact on museums.
Lowry told WAM that museums function as dynamic cultural laboratories, where new ideas and technologies can be explored. He said this encourages global cultural exchange and innovation.
He cited the concept of the “imaginary museum” introduced by André Malraux in the late 1940s as an early vision of today’s digital and AI-driven cultural landscape.
Lowry also discussed the work of artist Refik Anadol, known for his AI-driven pieces. One of Anadol’s prominent works, “Unsupervised — Machine Hallucinations" showcased at the Museum of Modern Art, used algorithms to analyse 138,000 pieces from the museum’s collection and generate new artworks blending heritage with advanced technologies.
He praised Abu Dhabi as one of the most impressive cultural destinations, particularly highlighting Saadiyat Island as a regional hub for artistic and cultural development and a reflection of the city’s commitment to global cultural dialogue.
