The promotion, advocacy, and protection of cultural rights are central to CSN Lab’s work. This commitment is becoming increasingly challenging in the context of technological advancement – particularly the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) – which not only compels us to reconsider the definitions of cultural rights, but also the mechanisms for their protection. The latest meeting of CSN Lab’s receptiON series was dedicated to the relationship between technological progress and culture.
Within the framework of European Film Month, CSN Lab, in collaboration with the “KAZM”NGO, screened Piotr Winiewicz’s film “About a Hero” in the main hall of the Cinema House. The film is based on a documentary script generated by artificial intelligence and immerses the audience in the mystery surrounding the death of engineer Dorem Clery, who took his own life under unclear circumstances. Winiewicz leads us along a path where both the characters and the viewers are invited to question their own identities. The film itself addresses the fundamental issues of using AI in the creative field, bringing to the surface complex and sometimes contradictory discourses about authorship and the creative process.
The screening of “About a Hero” was followed by a panel discussion featuring writer Armen of Armenia and director Vahan Khachatryan, moderated by Tigran Amiryan, founder of CSN Lab. Today, the intrusion of artificial intelligence into cultural and artistic fields is met with diverse interpretations: by some it is perceived as a new creative opportunity, while by others it faces strong resistance as a phenomenon seen to contradict the very essence of art.
At the core of the panel discussion was the relationship between cultural rights and artificial intelligence, which directly relates to contemporary challenges surrounding copyright, creativity, and cultural production. During the discussion, Armen of Armenia addressed the perception of AI in the field of literature and the ethical and authorship-related issues it raises, while Vahan Khachatryan spoke about emerging approaches to the use of AI in cinema.
Although technological developments are becoming increasingly intense, critical reflection on their impact on social and cultural processes still seems to be limited in public discourse. In this context, CSN Lab remains committed to providing a platform for the promotion of cultural rights, addressing the challenges they face, and rethinking the role and significance of cultural rights in a rapidly changing reality.
The receptiON platform is CSN Lab’s ongoing initiative aimed at promoting contemporary cultural narratives through public events. It brings together cultural practitioners, artists, and researchers from Armenia and around the world to share their knowledge and experience through lectures, workshops, film screenings, and many other formats.