Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is set to host a thought-provoking public lecture examining one of the most pressing questions in modern creative industries: what does it mean to be an author in the age of Artificial Intelligence?
As part of the ongoing AUB Open Lecture Series, Future Authorship in the Age of AI will explore the evolving relationship between human creativity, digital technology, and original storytelling.
The free public event will bring together academic expertise, creative practice, and community debate to investigate how generative AI tools are reshaping writing, publishing and intellectual property.
The event forms part of AUB’s civic agenda, sharing specialist knowledge, design thinking, and creative research with the wider Dorset community and region.
“The rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence is presenting all of us with significant existential challenges, but has also inspired excellent creative responses in fiction, film, and other media," says Dr Kevan Manwaring, Programme Leader for MA Creative Writing (Online) and Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Creative Writing at AUB
“Far more than a neutral tool, the use of AI comes with ethical, environmental, and educational consequences and yet has become almost impossible to avoid. In this talk I will explore its impact on the creative industries, in particular, publishing. What will future authorship look like? And can originality, agency, and authentic human expression survive in a post-human landscape?”
Kevan’s own creative response to the theme is embodied in his science fiction novel, Black Box, published by Goldendark on 9 November. The prize-winning novel won a national science fiction manuscript competition, One Giant Writ, run by Literature Works and major publisher Gollancz.
Reflecting on his stance on generative AI, Kevan adds, “As a writer I pride myself on my imagination, with a highly-advanced ability to generate ideas, conceive large storyworlds, and manifest them in finished manuscripts honed over a lifetime.
“Writing is my happy place, what I feel born to do, and the very thought of using Gen-AI is anathema to me, fundamentally insulting to my creative DNA. I believe the value of something is intrinsically connected to the effort involved in achieving it: the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's 'David', The Beatles' White Album. Something created in seconds is worthless.”
Emphasising human-led storytelling, his publisher, Goldendark, issued the following statement regarding the release:
“Black Box is a human-authored book. No AI was used in its creation. Goldendark supports human-powered publishing, and believes in the principles of copyright, royalties, and fair attribution. If you value genuine creativity, a wiser use of the Earth’s precious, finite resources, and actual intelligence, we urge you to do the same.”
Future Authorship in the Age of AI will take place on Tuesday 24 November (18.00–19.30) at AUB.
The evening will feature pre-lecture networking and refreshments, giving attendees the opportunity to explore gallery exhibitions on campus before the main presentation and audience Q+A.
