EDEN MILLS – The Eden Mills Writer’s Festival has announced that it has cancelled its AI workshop after receiving backlash from the community.
In a press release, the festival says its workshop “Dear AI, Am I Talking to Myself?” was intended to create a space for critical discussions about artificial intelligence and its effects on the literary world, not to celebrate AI, and not to replace human authors.
The festival says the session was to be an experimental presence, intended to challenge automation logics, not perpetuate them.
Following community feedback and the festival has made the decision to cancel the workshop and remove the AI voice from the panel of participants.
“While we are disappointed to lose what we hoped could have been a generative dialogue, we understand that trust must come first. EMWF has always been, and remains, a community-rooted, volunteer-powered festival that spotlights Canadian writers for readers today and tomorrow. This year’s festival features more than 45 authors, many of whom are grappling with the very same questions that sparked this controversy,” the festival said in the press release.
“Our commitment going forward is to continue building spaces for courageous and complex conversations with clarity, with care, and with the community beside us. We look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks time,” the festival said.
In response to concerns raised about AI and its place in the arts, Eden Mills Writers’ Festival is hosting a facilitated listening circle for writers, readers, and community members.
Registration is free through the festival’s ticketing portal on their website.
The online session will be held on Friday, September 5th from 1pm to 2pm.
More information can be found here.
