NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Common Folk Artist Collective will host a free arts showcase and forum during ArtWeek Berkshires for local artists on ways we can organize against generative AI. 

 

The event will feature stories, poetry, artwork, music, and more creative expression from local artists standing against the impact of AI on the arts. 

 

It will be held on May 20, from 6 to 8 pm at the Common Folk Artist Collective, 165 E Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247.

 

According to a press release: 

 

Facilitated by Hari Kumar: local storyteller, recovering engineer, AI critic, and founder of Convivo. Kumar has been featured on local radio several times, has presented on the harms of AI at a debate at Berkshire Community College, and provides free resources and webinars to raise awareness of AI's costs and realities. 

 

"Most people do not realize that generative AI products do not do what the marketing says they do, and do not know that AI data centers are exponentially worse for the environment than traditional data centers," said Kumar. "let alone the reality that generative AI relies on stealing original work by artists and trained using exploited labor from around the world. This event is intended for artists but also our local community as a way to celebrate and support authentic human creativity."

 

The event is free, RSVPs are encouraged at: https://bit.ly/artists-against-ai