Speakers’ Programme · Talk 1 of 3
A public talk on generative AI’s growing role in creative practice — and what it actually changes.
WHEN
Tuesday 29 September 2026, 6:00–8:00pm
WHERE
Waikato Museum · Lecture Theatrette
ENTRY
Free — booking recommended
Overview
Where does authorship sit once a machine has a hand in the making? As generative tools become part of everyday creative workflows — for artists, designers, writers, and the institutions that show their work — the old questions about originality, skill, and ownership are being asked again, faster and louder than before.
This talk looks at what’s genuinely new about AI’s place in art and design, and what’s simply a faster version of debates the creative sector has had before. Expect a grounded, research-based perspective rather than hype in either direction.
About the Speaker
Professor Gareth Schott
Professor Gareth Schott is a Professor in Media and Creative Technologies at the University of Waikato, with a research background spanning digital games, new media technologies, and how they mediate behaviour and creative practice. He holds a PhD in Psychology and has published widely on player experience, game studies, and digital culture.