Calgary Public Library reviewing feedback opposing AI-focused artist in residence
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.99/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
CALGARY – The Calgary Public Library is reviewing its search for a “creative-in-residence” focused on using artificial intelligence after facing critical feedback, including from the mayor.
The library is looking to host an artist from any discipline to use “AI technology ethically as a collaborative partner” for 10 weeks beginning at the end of June.
That call-out prompted online backlash from some concerned that AI-focused creations pull threads from the work of various, unnamed artists without due credit.
Millicent Mabi, the library’s programming director, said the organization is reviewing the feedback and will use it to aid in future decisions for the library, which is set to include more programming on artificial intelligence and misinformation.
“For this particular residency, we have not made any decision.”
Critics of generative AI argue it pirates from creators, while proponents say it doesn’t infringe on copyright.
When asked about issues of piracy, Mabi said the prospective artist would be responsible for ensuring they have the rights to create and share work developed during the residency.
“On its own part, the library, in keeping with its policies, will ensure safeguarding data privacy, security, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations,” Mabi said.
With the growing prevalence of the new technology, Mabi said, there’s a need to keep pace and learn more about it.
“New technologies have long influenced and informed artistic practice and the same can be said for AI,” the posting reads.
It says the creative-in-residence could receive up to $8,000 over the 10 weeks.
Stephanie Hanna, owner of the Market Collective, a Calgary organization that supports arts and culture, said she was “shocked” by the library’s call-out.
Hanna said she believes the money could be better spent in the local art scene, which faces dwindling funding, rather than on art made with artificial intelligence, which she’s concerned is “ripping off of artists’ work.”
“I don’t believe there’s a place for the creation of artworks that can be made by artificial intelligence,” said Hanna.
‘Artificial intelligence collects its knowledge, from what I understand, from existing works that people have made. So there’s tons of ethical concerns with it.”
Speaking at an unrelated news conference Monday, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said he supports the local arts scene and that the library’s search for an AI-artist “sets a bad precedent.”
He said he would be talking with the library and its board about the decision.
“You don’t need ChatGPT to tell you why that’s a bad idea,” Farkas said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2026.