[ISEA2016] Panel Statement: Hugh Davies — Computational Thinking in Art/Design Education

Panel Statement 

Panel: Software Literacy and Creative Industries

Over the last two decades, the evolution of art and design curriculum has been significantly impacted by the challenges and potential of digital disruption in the creative industries. Creative software tools first emulated then largely replaced manual production practices. There is growing evidence that another, and possibly greater, paradigm shift is eminent.

Predictions for the growth of Artificial Intelligence and its possible impact on employment are currently an issue of growing social concern. The current emergence of Procedural Content Generation software in the games industry, online journalism, architecture and music industry suggest that commercial creative practices will not be immune to the future impact of creative A. I.

Possible scenarios for the future may see practitioners eschew today’s generic software tools for bespoke applications that operate as semi-autonomous studio assistants. This has the potential to be a positive development that will offer new creative opportunities for those that embrace it. The education of artists and designers for this environment may require some level of programming ability but of greater importance will be the development of Computational Thinking as a fundamental foundation of creative imagination. Computational Thinking defines a common conceptual space that will afford access to creative partnerships between human cognition and A.I.

  • Hugh Davies,  La Trobe University, Australia

Full text (PDF)  p. 406-407