{"id":3826,"date":"2026-03-26T09:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T09:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/artsandculture\/?p=3826"},"modified":"2026-03-30T10:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:41:00","slug":"ai-as-assistant-not-author","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/artsandculture\/ai-as-assistant-not-author\/","title":{"rendered":"AI as the Assistant, Not Author: Black British Women,\u00a0AI\u00a0and Creative Practice\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michi Masumi<\/strong><\/a> is a CCCU PhD artist-researcher exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) operates within creative practice. She is currently exhibiting her work in our AI in Art<\/strong><\/a> exhibition in the Daphne Oram Gallery. Here she discusses her research and creative practice in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know more, she will be giving an Artist talk<\/a><\/strong> on Monday 27 April, and appearing on The Creative Careers and AI Podcast<\/a><\/strong> with Jo Samuel (Course Director and Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Media Production, CCCU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udd2c My Research: AI, Identity and Black British Women<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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My PhD research at Canterbury Christ Church University explores how Black British middle-aged women use artificial intelligence within creative practice to express lived experience, identity, and cultural narratives. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study examines the utilisation of AI-assisted and AI-hybrid creative tools by artists in conjunction with conventional art forms, including\u202fphotography, poetry, and mixed-media digital art. Rather than replacing artistic practice, these technologies can expand the ways stories are told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This research is practice-based, meaning the artworks themselves form part of the research process. My creative outputs include AI-assisted visual art, portrait photography, and sonic poetry, which explore themes of identity, representation, and cultural memory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the centre of this work is a key question: How can Black British women use AI creatively while maintaining authorship, cultural voice, and artistic control? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf0d Art, Technology and Cultural Voice<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the creative industries. Artists across the world are exploring how AI in art and digital creativity can influence visual culture and storytelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My approach sits slightly differently within this wider discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I work with AI-assisted art tools, but every project begins with my own photographs, poetry, and research themes. AI becomes one tool within a wider creative process.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rather than replacing artistic practice, AI becomes something closer to a contested collaborator. It can challenge visual decisions, introduce new textures, and expand possibilities. However, the narrative, cultural grounding, and creative direction always come from the artist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My work also draws on ideas from Black feminist theory, digital anthropology, and critical race scholarship, which examine how technology shapes representation, culture, and power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udde0 AI-Assisted Practice vs Generative AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is often confusion around how artists use artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many people assume AI-generated art is created simply by typing a short prompt and allowing a machine to produce an image. While generative AI can work this way, that is not how my practice operates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My creative process usually begins with my own photography, poetry, and research themes. From there, I use AI tools carefully to explore texture, symbolism, and composition. The work may move through several digital platforms before reaching its final form. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this, I describe my work as an AI-assisted or AI-hybrid creative practice, rather than purely generative AI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this sense, AI becomes a digital extension of the artist\u2019s studio, supporting creativity rather than replacing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udd01 The 4Rs Framework<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Resistance \u2022 Reclaiming \u2022 Reframing \u2022 Retaining<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My work is guided by a framework I call the 4Rs<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These principles shape how I approach AI and creative practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resistance<\/strong> 
Challenging narratives that suggest AI will replace artists or control creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reclaiming<\/strong> 
Artists are taking ownership of digital technologies and ensuring cultural voices remain present within AI systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reframing<\/strong> 
Shifting conversations about AI and creativity away from hype or fear and towards critical artistic engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retaining<\/strong> 
Protecting the core elements of artistic practice, including cultural knowledge, lived experience, and creative authorship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, the 4Rs encourage artists to use AI in visual art and digital creativity in ways that remain culturally grounded and critically aware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u270d\ud83c\udffe The 3As Framework<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Authorship \u2022 Agency \u2022 Autonomy<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the 4Rs, my work emphasises the 3As<\/strong>: Authorship, Agency and Autonomy<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These principles are essential when exploring AI in the creative industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorship ensures that the artist remains recognised as the creator and director of the work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency allows artists to guide the creative process rather than letting technology dictate outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autonomy protects artistic independence so that AI tools support creativity rather than replacing it, allowing artists to make choices that reflect their unique vision and style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, the 3As help artists use AI-assisted creative technologies while maintaining artistic integrity and cultural representation, ensuring unique voices and perspectives are preserved in their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\ude80 Looking Forward<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Artificial intelligence will continue to shape the future of digital art, visual culture, and creative technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge is ensuring that artists remain authors, decision-makers, and cultural storytellers within that process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through my research and creative practice, I aim to contribute to conversations around AI ethics in art, representation in technology, and the future of AI-assisted creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology should not define culture on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the future of AI and creativity should be shaped by the artists, communities, and cultural narratives that engage with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\uddbc The Exhibition<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AI in Art<\/strong><\/a> features the work of two CCCU PhD artist-researchers; Masumi and Ju Li. They each take different approaches to this shared interest; not just prompting AI but exploring how they can leverage it to enhance their own unique creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exhibition runs in the Daphne Oram Gallery from Monday 2 March until Monday 27 April 2026<\/strong>, but will be closed to the public from Friday 3 April (Good Friday) until Friday 10 April<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The usual opening hours are Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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