AI and Creativity: Design, Fairness, and the Role of Culture in AI’s Future
2 min read · Monday March 30, 2026
Photo: tderricottyap
Last week, we welcomed students, staff, and industry guests to the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre for a timely panel on AI and the creative industries. Despite some truly wild weather, the room was full of eager minds. To us, this was a clear sign of just how much this conversation matters right now.
The evening was a collaboration between ADA and UNSW Founders, and brought together voices from law, design, research, and industry. It was split across two panels, each tackling a different side of the same issue
The first panel focused on AI, creative practice, and the law. One theme came through clearly: regulation is not keeping up. Speakers pointed out that Australia’s legal frameworks are still underdeveloped. This can leave artists and creative workers exposed, especially when it comes to copyright and ownership.
The second panel turned to how AI systems are actually built and used. Here, the gap looked a little different. Panellists highlighted that Australia is not investing enough in AI capability. This risks leaving us dependent on large global tech companies that shape the tools creatives rely on.
At the same time, the discussion questioned the idea that AI will completely replace creative work. Drawing on experiments at Canva, speakers showed that AI still depends heavily on human input. Specifically, it struggles with context, taste, and humour. In practice, this means it works best as a tool – not a replacement.
If there was a shared takeaway, it was this: the future of AI in the creative industries will depend on more than the technology itself. It will be shaped by the legal, cultural, and human frameworks around it.
Many attendees said that (in the best possible way) they left with more questions than answers. This felt appropriate; it's a fast-moving and complicated space, with no simple solutions. That's why we believe ongoing conversations like this are so important.
The event has sparked plans for a regular panel series helmed by ADA and Founders, so watch this space!