A moment to reflect and share where we are with AI as a university. I gave a talk to introduce the work the university is doing in this space to the AI Summit attendees, including insights from our AI Working Group, who produce our AI Toolkit for Students, and feedback from surveys of our students around their attitudes to AI. I compared these to global attitudes revealed in the Pew Research survey How People Around The World View AI, and to the attitudes in the room. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the majority in the room were more excited than concerned, where our student population tend to skew in the other direction, aligned with the Pew Research study global average.
Pew Research 2025 public concern vs excitement over AI
I also drew from insights shared in the 2025 D&AD AI and Creativity Report, which urges creators to to focus on taste, cultural sensitivity and being able to 'read to room' in a way that AI can't. They note that more senior creatives tend to value AI as a collaborator, for it's ability to accelerate their processes, while juniors tend to view AI as a competitor and a threat to the entry-level job market.
Norwich AI Summit 4.0 was organised by Giancarlo Erra and Bill Banham supported by Connected Innovation and Norwich University of the Arts.
It was a privilege to share the stage with Robin Fuller, Matthew Buskell, Scott Burdon, Helen L. Bear PhD FHEA, Chris Baker, Kerri Betts PhD, and Jodie Hosmer.