site.btaFourth CreaTech Summit SEE to Explore Creativity in the Age of AI

More than 45 speakers and panellists from Bulgaria and abroad will take part in the fourth edition of the international forum CreaTech Summit South-East Europe, which will take place on October 16 at the Toplocentrala Regional Centre for Contemporary Arts in Sofia, the organizers said on Wednesday.

This year's edition is dedicated to creativity in the age of artificial intelligence. The programme includes lectures, discussions, practical workshops, technology demonstrations, virtual reality, immersive experiences and a competition for young filmmakers.

Among the highlights of the programme will be the organization of the Eurovision Song Contest and the opportunities such events create for the cultural and creative industries. Harry Doyle from Liverpool City Council will discuss the preparations for and staging of the 2023 contest, as well as the involvement of local cultural organizations and businesses. Austrian film and television producer Anja Lenhart will present Vienna's experience in preparing large-scale international productions. The two will also take part in a discussion on the impact of major cultural events on tourism, the economy and urban development.

Genoveva Christova, President of CreaTech Bulgaria, said that Eurovision is an example of the interaction between music, design, technology, and audiovisual production, which can contribute to cities' economic development and international recognition.

The music industry and new audio technologies are also among the topics at the forum. Pietro Rossi from RedStone Productions and Dolby Labs will lead a workshop on spatial sound and working with orchestral recordings.

The impact of AI on the creative process will be explored in the context of design, animation and digital content creation. Pigalle Tavakkoli, founder of the School of Experience Design, will speak on experience design, while Charles-Philippe Bowles, Stani Milev, Stoyan Stoyanov and Lars T. Moen will take part in a discussion on the interaction between artificial and artistic intelligence in animation.

The official opening will also feature AI influencer Ahinora, created by the Bulgarian digital agency BG Content.

The immersive programme will include a virtual reality experience showcasing the Bulgarian Antarctic base on Livingston Island. The project by director and screenwriter Yordan Mihaylovski will present a digital replica of the base that allows visitors to explore the space using VR technology.

Video game development will be explored through discussions on mobile, computer, and console games. Representatives of Gameloft, Imperia Online, Paradox Interactive, Creative Assembly, Haemimont Games, and Kipi Interactive will talk about business models, monetization, and the challenges facing developers.

The forum will also host a competition for young filmmakers organized by the St Kliment Ohridski 1997 Student Community Centre. Ten shortlisted short-film projects will be presented to industry professionals, who will provide feedback to the participants.

A new feature in this year's edition is the Legal Clinic, developed by the Kanev Lukaev tech law firm. It will offer consultations on intellectual property, trademark protection, working with freelancers, investment and business development. The legal programme also includes the discussion Artists, AI and IP: Who Owns Creativity?, dedicated to authorship and the protection of works in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.

The forum will conclude with an interactive audiovisual installation and a dance performance. Admission is free of charge with prior registration.