In a bid to address the most pressing topic facing today’s creative industry, Melbourne networking event The Open Table will host a panel discussion between a human chief creative officer and artificial intelligence.
The conversation between Matt Lawson, co-founder and chief creative officer at ATime&Place and ChatGPT, will be held next month to explore what makes human creativity irreplaceable. The evening will be opened by Sarah McGregor, national executive creative director, AKQA Group.
“AI is without a doubt the most revolutionary and exciting new tool we’ve had at our disposal in a long time. It’s changing our world, our culture, and the way we do our jobs. For all these reasons, it requires us to engage more than ever with our humanity, if we’re to use it well,” McGregor said.
Deanne Constantine, founder of Blue Bateau and networking event The Open Table, which launched in 2024, said the focus of this year’s event reflects the industry-wide anxiety and curiosity about AI’s role in creative work.
“It’s vital that our industry start to tackle these urgent conversations shaping creative careers and the future workforce. Last year, we brought people together to rebuild connections. This year, we’re bringing them together to navigate the biggest disruption our industry has ever faced. Every creative professional is asking: ‘Will AI replace me?’ It’s time to have that conversation openly. And what better way to explore these issues than to put one of the industry’s leading human creatives up against ChatGPT?” Constantine said.
“While AI was certainly processing information at speed, he hoped the head-to-head discussion with ChatGPT would highlight the place that both AI and human creativity can play in the future of the industry,” Lawson said.
“The AI will have access to every subject matter expert in the field of creativity and across human history, and I, well, I will have access to a microphone. So, if I’m honest, I’m a little worried. And perhaps this mirrors some of the concerns the industry is having. How can we compete? Do we compete? How do we work together? What’s going to change? It’s a really worthy conversation. And I’m glad Deanne has chosen the home-ground of worthy human conversations, the bowls club,” Lawson added.
The event will maintain The Open Table’s founding principle of “no closed doors, hierarchy or agendas,” welcoming everyone from junior creatives to C-suite executives to explore this industry moment together.
“As we navigate this unprecedented shift in our industry, events like The Open Table are more vital than ever. The strength of our creative community lies in coming together and sharing perspectives. There’s irreplaceable value in bringing the industry face-to-face to navigate these defining moments,” Constantine said.
The Open Table’s event will take place on Wednesday, 19 November, from 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm, at the Melbourne Bowling Club, 138 Union Street, Windsor.
Tickets are $70pp, including Turkish barbecue, live entertainment, and bowls.
